UPDATE ON THE WORKING TIME DIRECTIVE
This remains a very important issue which could still seriously affect the UK motorsport industry. Please remain engaged and in contact with your MEP.
We are grateful to the CBI for the following update, as on behalf of all our members we are members of the CBI Trade Association Forum which is a REAL benefit.
Process:
On 17th December the European Parliament voted to support an amendment to the Working Time Directive which would see the opt-out of the 48 hour working week “phased-out” over a three year period.
On this amendment 705 votes were cast - 421 MEPs backed the “phase-out” amendment; 273 voted against and 11 abstained. The Parliament required an absolute majority of 393 MEPs for the amendment to be carried, and exceeded this by just 28 votes! Hardly a landslide nor a strong majority.
What happens next?
The following dates represent a provisional timetable of events, it is possible negotiations could progress much quicker. The dates are only a guide as to when different steps will be completed, not a definitive statement of when they necessarily will.
The European Commission should receive a formal report on the outcome of the December vote from the European Parliament on 15th January.
After it has received this, the Commission can do one of four things:
1. Accept an amendment
2. Reject an amendment
3. Accept an amendment in spirit
4. Accept an amendment in part
Following the Commission's assessment, then the Council of Ministers will consider the amendments passed by the Parliament in December.
When the Council of Ministers considers the Parliament's amendments, it will consider them as a package , not individually. It can only choose to accept or reject the amendments in their totality.
Given the extreme position the Parliament has taken both on the “opt-out” and “on-call time”, it is believed the Council of Ministers will reject the amendments in full. A conciliation committee will then be convened.
The official Conciliation process is a tripartite process.
The Commission, Parliament and Council of Ministers will try to reach an agreement on a new text for the Directive. This formal process takes 6 weeks, which can be extended by two more weeks if required.
European elections are scheduled for June, so the latest date the current Parliament could vote on a “ Conciliation text” regarding the Working Time Directive is 7th May so we expect there to be a real drive to reach agreement before this date.
Throughout the conciliation, the Commission acts as mediator between the Parliament and the Council of Ministers. The Ministers are next due to discuss Working Time at an informal meeting of the Social Affairs Council on 22/23rd January.
CBI Lobbying - on behalf of the MIA and our members
Over the coming weeks the CBI will be actively engaged with the key Commissioners. On Monday 19th January CBI will meet Deputy Chef de Cabinet for Commissioner Spidla, at which she will stress the importance of the opt-out.
The CBI continues to lobby the MEPs in the European Parliament's conciliation delegation, and to work closely with the UK government - both domestically and through discussions with permanent representatives in Brussels.
The CBI policy specialist on working time is happy to deal with any enquiries the MIA members may have on this issue so do let Jayne Thomas know your questions.
(jayne.thomas@the-mia.com) or call the MIA on 02476 692 600
