The UK will retain its opt-out from the European Working Time Directive, despite attempts by the European Parliament to remove it.
The Working Time Directive limits the number of hours individuals are permitted to work to 48 per week. The UK, along with 14 other countries, has closely guarded its opt-out, which allows British citizens to work longer hours.
The Directive is intended to prevent exploitative employment practices, and to provide workers with some protection from things like compulsory overtime. British and European trade unions say that UK employees are already the most over-worked in Europe, and longer hours reduce productivity and increase the likelihood of accidents.
But the government insists that workers should be able to choose if they wish to work more than 48 hours per week. It says that it is vital that business and workers have the maximum possible flexibility in order to combat the downturn.
