Allister condemns EP vote on British opt-out
17 December 2008
Statement by Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister:
"I utterly condemn the decision of the European Parliament today to reject the British opt-out on the Working Time Directive as unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of the UK.
The Council of Ministers had agreed a common position which preserved the UK's right to decide for itself how many hours its workers might work each week. This common position was defeated today in the Parliament, forcing a showdown with the Council. It is imperative that the UK stands its ground.
It is intolerable that by Brussels diktat British workers should be denied the right to work over 48 hours per week. At a stroke this would rob many workers of the right to work overtime and puts sectors such as transport and agriculture in an intolerable position.
I will continue to lobby strongly in support of retention of our opt-out."
