Unpaid work scheme attacked by unions

Government plans to cut the red tape surrounding the Working Time Regulations have been attacked by construction unions.

Trade and industry secretary Stephen Byers has removed the need for employers to keep time records for staff who have opted out of the scheme and proposed an amendment that would disregard unpaid time that staff agreed to work over their contracts.

George Brumwell, Ucatt general secretary, said: "The regulations are designed to improve health and safety and they will make a big contribution in the construction industry if they are allowed to be operated and implemented as they were intended to - which is to reduce the excessive long hours demanded in the industry."

Brian Craze, a TGWU spokesman added: "It is again putting British workers well behind their counterparts in every other European country in the EC. We are the peasantry or Bangladeshis of Europe in regard to employment legislation. The whole thing is a disgrace."