Bishops hit out over debate on working time directive

Europe’s Catholic bishops have criticised MEPs for ‘failing to protect’ Sunday in new EU working times regulations

Piotr Mazurkiewicz, secretary general of the Brussels-based Bishop’s Conferences of the European Communities (COMECE) expressed disappointment that a debate on the protection of Sunday had not taken place “apparently due to procedural obstacles.”

He was referring to a discussion in parliament’s employment and social affairs committee where MEPs debated a revision of the EU working time directive.

Some MEPs unsuccessfully tabled an amendment recommending that the minimum weekly rest period “shall in principle include Sunday.”

The amendment was put forward by seven MEPs from the European People’s Party (EPP), the Party of European Socialists (PSE) and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE).

But the failure to put this amendment to the vote incensed Mazurkiewicz, a Polish priest, who was recently elected to the top COMECE post.

He said the protection of Sunday “is a cornerstone of the European social model and an issue of  central importance for workers and their families.”

He added, “If the parliament wishes to be serious about the aim of reconciling work and family life – a goal which is explicitly mentioned in the directive – it would make sense to complete the current draft by adding a provision on Sunday as a weekly rest day.”

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