HL Deb 15 January 2004 vol 657 cc102-3WA
Lord Taylor of Warwick

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they will take to ensure that British workers will not lose the right to opt out of the 48-hour working week clause negotiated by the United Kingdom in 1993. [HL670]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The opt out is important to the UK as it maintains flexible labour markets and gives choice to individuals to work longer hours if they so wish. I and my colleagues are working in Europe to stress the importance of the opt out to both employers and employees and to ensure that key decision-makers understand the benefits of an approach which provides protection to workers who do not wish to work long hours without restricting those who wish to make a different choice.