Government vow on work opt-out

The move by the employment and social affairs committee of the European Parliament sparked a fresh row between business leaders and unions in the UK over the directive, which aims to limit the working week to 48 hours.

Union officials said it was a "significant" blow against the UK's long hours culture, but business groups said ending the opt-out would "constrain" firms, especially as they struggled to cope with the economic downturn.

Labour MEP Stephen Hughes, employment spokesman of the Parliament's Socialist Group, was among the 35 who voted in favour, with 13 against ending the opt-out, which was negotiated by the former Conservative administration in 1993. Mr Hughes said: "It has always been the position of the Socialist Group to be against the opt-out on working time because of concerns about health and safety."

The issue will now be debated by the European Parliament next month.

Unions inflicted a defeat on the Prime Minister at Labour's party conference in September by forcing through a motion calling for an end to the opt-out.

Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB union, said: "This is a very significant day for UK workers. Dignity and decency has won over ignorance and greed. There are a number of steps to go yet until the opt-out is ended and GMB will be lobbying to ensure the vote in the European Parliament in December goes the same way."

But John Cridland, deputy director general of the CBI, accused the MEPs of being "out of touch" and called on their colleagues to support the opt out during next month's debate. "People in medical research can work longer if they wish. The proposals would end this, replacing freedom with frustration. We think people can look at their own circumstances and make their own decision about working longer hours. We call this common sense, and it doesn't need amending by Brussels."

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: "The decision by the employment committee is not surprising in the least. We will continue to stand firm to protect the opt-out to the Working Time Directive's 48-hour maximum working week, which is essential to Britain's labour market flexibility that has helped to create an extra three million jobs over the past decade.

"People must remain free to earn overtime if they wish and businesses must have the flexibility to cope during busy times. To lose the ability to opt out will mean workers cannot boost their earning potential when some are already struggling with high food and energy prices."