Menu
04/07/2003
TUC welcomes EU directive for reducing excessive hours
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has welcomed the introduction of a new EU directive which is set reduce excessive working hours for key employees and offer new working time and holiday rights.
The Working Time Horizontal Amending Directive regulations, which are published today, will set new guidelines for transport workers, offshore workers and junior doctors and will come into force on August 1.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said it was "good news" for the 350,000 workers who had no protection from excessive working days.
He added: "But it's unfortunate that junior doctors, workers in the North Sea, and transport staff have had to wait five years longer than most for these rights.
"There is also no guarantee that workers will see the benefits of the new protections as under the UK opt-out to the working time rules it is far too easy for employers to pressure staff to work more than 48 hours a week.
"If the government is serious about ending the UK's long hours culture, it should end the UK's working time opt-out when it is reviewed this autumn."
(GMcG)
The Working Time Horizontal Amending Directive regulations, which are published today, will set new guidelines for transport workers, offshore workers and junior doctors and will come into force on August 1.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said it was "good news" for the 350,000 workers who had no protection from excessive working days.
He added: "But it's unfortunate that junior doctors, workers in the North Sea, and transport staff have had to wait five years longer than most for these rights.
"There is also no guarantee that workers will see the benefits of the new protections as under the UK opt-out to the working time rules it is far too easy for employers to pressure staff to work more than 48 hours a week.
"If the government is serious about ending the UK's long hours culture, it should end the UK's working time opt-out when it is reviewed this autumn."
(GMcG)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 August 2009
Improvements For Welsh Junior Doctors Sought
A campaign aimed at improving the working lives of junior doctors in Wales gets underway today. BMA Cymru Wales has become increasingly concerned about working conditions of junior doctors in general.
Improvements For Welsh Junior Doctors Sought
A campaign aimed at improving the working lives of junior doctors in Wales gets underway today. BMA Cymru Wales has become increasingly concerned about working conditions of junior doctors in general.
11 May 2005
EU votes to bin working time opt-out clause
The European Parliament has voted to bin the opt-out clause in the working time directive. Citing health and safety grounds, the vote by members of the European Parliament could see the working time directive changed within three-years. However, the EU's Council of Ministers have yet to ratify the decision by the MEPs.
EU votes to bin working time opt-out clause
The European Parliament has voted to bin the opt-out clause in the working time directive. Citing health and safety grounds, the vote by members of the European Parliament could see the working time directive changed within three-years. However, the EU's Council of Ministers have yet to ratify the decision by the MEPs.
18 September 2009
BMA Highlight Junior Doctors Shortage
A shortage of younger doctors is putting a strain on the health service. The British Medical Association (BMA) has uncovered Department of Health data which suggests that junior doctor staffing rotas in the UK were short by almost 3,000. The figures relate to the period up to the end of 2008 and the BMA fears this problem has got worse.
BMA Highlight Junior Doctors Shortage
A shortage of younger doctors is putting a strain on the health service. The British Medical Association (BMA) has uncovered Department of Health data which suggests that junior doctor staffing rotas in the UK were short by almost 3,000. The figures relate to the period up to the end of 2008 and the BMA fears this problem has got worse.
26 June 2003
CBI boss urges government to reject ‘nanny state’ hours
The CBI has urged the government to protect the right of UK employees to work more than 48 hours a week if they wish to do so. A CBI report found that many employers wanted to keep the freedom to ask their staff to opt out of the weekly hours limit, set out in the EU working time directive, in order to keep down costs and mitigate labour shortages.
CBI boss urges government to reject ‘nanny state’ hours
The CBI has urged the government to protect the right of UK employees to work more than 48 hours a week if they wish to do so. A CBI report found that many employers wanted to keep the freedom to ask their staff to opt out of the weekly hours limit, set out in the EU working time directive, in order to keep down costs and mitigate labour shortages.
03 October 2006
Conservatives focus on families
The Conservatives have focused on the family on the third day of the party's conference in Bournemouth, with leader David Cameron suggesting that a Tory government would consider easing the tax burden on couples with children.
Conservatives focus on families
The Conservatives have focused on the family on the third day of the party's conference in Bournemouth, with leader David Cameron suggesting that a Tory government would consider easing the tax burden on couples with children.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
