European employment ministers meet today to discuss whether staff should be allowed to work more than 48 hours a week.
The European Working Time Directive, which was enforced in 1993, limits the working week to 48 hours but the UK signed up to an opt-out clause allowing employees to work more than 48 hours if they choose to.
However, last month the European Parliament voted to scrap the opt-out clause.
Trade and Industry Secretary Alan Johnson, who will attend the meeting today, said that he is “committed to protecting the opt-out” and will argue that it should stay.
The European Working Time Directive, which was enforced in 1993, limits the working week to 48 hours but the UK signed up to an opt-out clause allowing employees to work more than 48 hours if they choose to.
However, last month the European Parliament voted to scrap the opt-out clause.
Trade and Industry Secretary Alan Johnson, who will attend the meeting today, said that he is “committed to protecting the opt-out” and will argue that it should stay.
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