Whereas provisions aimed at reducing weekly hours of works (comprised between 35 and 40 hours) are being discussed in many countries of the Union, the EU institutions are evaluating a document that would limit the cases in which it is possible to introduce a working week in excess of 48 hours. According to a document issued by the Commission, which will now pass to the examination of the European Parliament and Council, “member states will be permitted to introduce national provisions to apply the individual opt-out from the ceiling of 48 hours”. The conditions “to be respected in the event of agreement between employer and employee shall be clearer”. At the time of the signing of the contract, “employees shall not be asked to renounce limits to the working hours and any excess of 48 hours during a period of seven days shall occur only in the case of a written agreement by the worker, who shall be able to withdraw his consent at any time”. The over-48 week will therefore be possible, but would remain an exception, so as to permit a firm greater productive flexibility in particular market conditions. In this regard, the EU Commissioner for employment and social affairs, Stavros Dimas, declared: “The proposal tackles the defects of the current system, that emerged in the course of its application. It comprises a balanced range of measures in defence of the health and safety of workers but introduces greater flexibility and maintains competitiveness”. Naturally the action of the EU requires the support and vigilance of the member states and precise agreements between businesses and trades unions to this end. ———————————————————————————————————– Sir Europa (English) N.ro assoluto : 1327 N.ro relativo : 67 Data pubblicazione : 30/09/04
