01 March, 2004
LONDON's Green Euro-MP will be handing out leaflets to
the capital's workers tomorrow evening to highlight the EC consultation on the
UK's opt-out of the Working Time Directive.
Jean Lambert, London's Green Party MEP said: "I am really keen to hear the public's views on the directive and look forward to meeting people and raising awareness of workers' rights.
"The leaflet lets people know that they can get involved in the decision making process at European level."
It also points out that the UK is the only EU member increasing its working time over the last decade.
The Green Euro-MP, who is a leading member of the parliament's Employment and Social Affairs Committee, said: "Workers are under enormous pressure to conform to a work culture that says you're not dedicated to your job unless you're at your desk by 8am and still there at 10pm - and employers all too often exploit this culture.
"Such long hours cause terrible problems though - not just socially, for individuals and families, but in terms of health and safety and productivity and economic costs to employers and the UK generally."
"Everyone knows that many workers find themselves faced with 'an offer they cannot refuse' by employers who expect regular overtime - whether paid or unpaid - or for their workers to accept contracts which effectively sign away their rights."
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. The Working Time Directive gives workers the right to daily rest periods of 11 hours, breaks during working hours, a maximum 48-hour working week and four weeks minimum annual holiday. The government has negotiated an opt-out, which allows employers to disregard this law.
2. For more information visit here
3. For more details on the European Commission's consultation visit here
For more information please contact Katy Randles on 020 7407 6280 or at
press@greenmeps.org.uk