Germans may back 48-hour opt-out

Leaders of the UK construction industry are taking heart from unofficial reports that the government has struck a deal under which the Germans will give their support for some form of continued opt-out from a mandatory maximum 48-hour week under the Working Time Directive.
The Directive is under review by the European Commission and a second stage of consultation with the social partners is about to begin.
It has been suggested that the review will end the UK opt-out from the maximum 48-hour week. But it remains unlikely that any changes in the UK Working Time Regulations following on from this review will take effect before the end of 2005 at the earliest.
Seven construction employer organisations have come together to put forward a joint submission on the review. This states that the individual opt-out is an essential mechanism for labour flexibility and should be retained.
The submission says that if the opt-out does go it must be phased out. And alternative measures must be provided to safeguard labour flexibility - such as an extended reference period.
The employers conclude: "It cannot be stressed too strongly that, even with these alternative measures, the negative effects for business would be significant."