We must not allow EU to insist on cut in working hours
Limiting the working hours of UK employees will have a negative impact not only on the economy but also for our communities. Threatening the right to choose flexible working hours in the UK could lead to thousands of jobs disappearing across our region.
It will cost the economy billions, and during a recession will do little to help matters improve.
Fire crews have already warned that some services, and therefore lives, could be put at risk.
For example, limiting the working week to 48 hours for retained firefighters, who hold second jobs, could seriously jeopardise the provision of adequate emergency response in rural areas.
This means our communities will suffer from a lack of emergency cover if these changes go ahead.
Will it get to the stage where a retained firefighter or a lifeboat volunteer has to refuse to go to someone's aid for fear of breaking the law?
There needs to be safeguards to ensure that people enjoy fair and decent working conditions.
But it goes against the British spirit to be forced to abide by such rigid rules, imposed by politicians from a different country.
There cannot be a one-size-fits-all policy for all countries.
Every nation has individual needs and unique circumstances and these must be taken into account.
If people want to work two jobs then why should we stop them?
This country's past successes have been built on the fact that our citizens have been willing to put in the hours.
By punishing those who are prepared to work extra it will surely mean people's motivation will suffer.
The graft and benevolent nature of people in this country should not be steamrollered over by decision-makers in Brussels.
Comments
by Jack Ancliffe, Frome
Tuesday, March 24 2009, 11:35AM
“What tosh appears in the papers about the EU. Surely employment arrangements for retaining part-time fire-fighters is for the local fire brigades to arrange and very little to do with broad Europe-wide policy for the protection of working people. To try to shame or blame the EU by means of falsehood and misrepresented knocking copy is just an excuse for poor administration.
My understanding is that certain 'essential public services' workers have some exclusion from the Working Time Directive where those rights are inappropriate, for example for the armed forces and emergency services.
My main point is that there is no direct EU stipulation on how the Directive is to be implemented; rather it is for employers in Britain to manage their people effectively and lawfully.
In other words, there may be some questions on achieving fire cover but they are not much to do with the EU. This would seem to be yet another example of UK regulation overkill and a jobsworth approach.”