Working Time Directive “disappointing” – says TUC

Commenting on the EU Commission’s proposals for the revision of the EU Working Time Directive, which include the continuation of the opt-out for UK workers from the 48 hour working week, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber, said: "This is a disappointing decision that will satisfy no-one.

"People at work will get some slight extra protections against bosses who try to force them to opt-out of a 48 hour working week. And union members will be able to negotiate a limit to their maximum hours.

"But these limited reforms show that the Commission has failed to grasp the scale of the UK’s long hours culture and the damage it is doing to our workforce and economy. British bosses will still be able to rely on pressuring staff to work long hours instead of adopting safe, efficient and productive working practices."