IBEC and ICTU to Deliberate on Reform of EU Working Time Directive at Oireachtas European Affairs Committee
19th June 2010
The best way to reform the European Working Time Directive which currently limits the average weekly working hours to 48 per week will be considered at tomorrow’s, 20th meeting of the Oireachtas European Affairs Committee at 2pm in Committee Room 4.
Danny McCoy of IBEC and Esther Lynch of ICTU will outline their organisation’s differing perspectives on how this controversial Directive should be altered.
Tomorrow’s meeting is part of a consultation process currently happening in each Member State. This process follows a failure by the EU Council and the European Parliament to reach agreement on aspects of the directive such as; on call time allowances, minimum rest periods and opt out clauses for certain industries such as the haulage business.
Committee Chairman, Bernard Durkan TD said;
“The fact that the EU, despite several attempts, has failed to reach agreement regarding several features of the working time directive show how contentious an issue it is.
The consequences of the directive have been especially significant for professions like truck drivers and junior hospital doctors. Some have argued that the directive is too rigid and will make economies uncompetitive with supporters of the act claiming that it has strong health and safety benefits.
The meeting tomorrow will provide an opportunity for the trade union movement and employers’ organisation to outline their opinions on reform.”
The Committee can be followed live at http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/livewebcast/Web-Live.htm&CatID=83&m=o
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