EU 'optimistic' over working time deal

Brussels is 'optimistic' that new EU rules laying out a maximum 48 hour working week will receive broad support from European employment ministers this week.

The revised laws, unveiled by Brussels on Wednesday, are a "good compromise between flexibility and the health and safety of workers" according to a Brussels spokeswoman.

"We are optimistic that they will be supported at council discussions tomorrow in Luxembourg."

Most controversial in the existing law is Britain's coveted 'opt-out' from the working time rules - in place since 1993.

France has led calls, along with the European Parliament, to abolish the opt-out which they argue undermines social standards in Europe and represents "ultra-liberal" economic reform.

Under the new proposals, the 'opt-out' would be phased out three years after the implementation of the directive - a move designed to appease those member states in the anti opt-out camp.

But under the auspices of 'flexibility', the commission's proposal allows governments already using the opt-out, for 'labour market' reasons, to ask for the opt-out to be extended.

The Commission will then decide on a case by case basis if the opt-out can be extended - depending on arrangements in member states and the extension period requested.

One EU source close to the negotiations said the extension could be anything from one year to ten years and that an indefinite exemption "is not being ruled out at this stage".

This less rigid approach is designed to appeal to member states such as the UK who are fiercely opposed to any interference with their opt-out.

But EU diplomats are not convinced that this 'balanced' approach will be enough to satisfy Britain, who is leading a blocking minority to maintain the exemption.

"There may not be enough in it for the British," said one. "They remain committed to retaining the opt-out - and its not something they will move on."

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