Following determined lobbying from the MIA and the CBI, this week brought good news for many of Europe’s motorsport businesses. Talks between EU member States and MEPs on a Working Time Directive seeking to limit the working week, across the 27-nation bloc, to 48 hours has not lead to agreement in April, so reducing the chances of the legislation being adopted at all.
In December, EU MEPs voted to scrap the opt-out from the 48-hour working week for the 15 countries, one of which is the UK, that wanted to stay out.
“The MIA never gave up on this vital issue, as it materially affects many of our members and their ability to remain effective” said Chris Aylett, CEO of the MIA this week.”UK MEPs seek re-election in June. This defeat of the position adopted by mainly Labour MEPs, acting against the UK Government’s position, should influence their individual re-election in June. Many UK companies are strongly opposed to their position as is the UK Government and the MIA too.”
Issues surrounding opt-outs, as well as 'active' and 'inactive' on-call working, have been central to the ongoing five-year negotiations. The European employment commissioner, said the Commission has done its “utmost to help ”the two legislative bodies reconcile their differences in the conciliation committee.
UK employment minister Pat McFadden said on Thursday: "We have said, consistently, we would not give up the opt-out. We argued that everyone has the right to basic protections surrounding the hours they work, and the right to choose those hour. In the current downturn, it is more important than ever that people keep the right to put more money in their pockets by working longer hours if they wish.”
The official conciliation process is limited to a period of six weeks, with an extension of two weeks if required. Due to the upcoming June elections, the European Parliament would need to use its last plenary session from 4 to 7 May to approve any deal, meaning the deadline for agreement is 28 April. A further meeting of the Conciliation Committee had been proposed for 20 or 21 April, however the Council of Ministers stated no meeting will occur unless there is clear positive movement towards an agreement. If agreement is not reached by 28 April the proposals will fall until resurrected under the new Parliament if they see fit.
Full details can be seen under 'Social Affairs' on www.euobserver.com.
