Brussels, 16/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - A new social partner agreement on working time on passenger or freight transport ships in inland waterways was signed on Wednesday 15 February. The agreement lays down specific rules for crew members and shipboard personnel, and, if endorsed, will take this sector, described by Employment Social Affairs and Inclusion Commissioner Laszlo Andor as “one of the key modes of transport in the EU in economic terms”, outside the working time directive (2003/88/EC).
While, in general terms, the rules set out differ only slightly from those in the directive in force, with the exception of those governing rest time, the changes agreed by the social partners seek to introduce greater flexibility in how working time is allocated. Thus, just like the working time directive that applies elsewhere, the agreement stipulates that total working time may not exceed 48 hours per week, though this may be averaged out over a period of up to 12 months. Similarly, total night-time working time must not exceed 42 hours per week. The agreement sets a right to at least 10 hours' rest every day (at least six hours must be uninterrupted), whereas the European directive for other sectors stipulates a rest time of 11 consecutive hours.
The standards proposed by the social partners were hailed by the European Commission as “concrete solutions for specific problems and which contribute to setting high-level European standards”. After legal examination of the agreement, the Commission will shortly bring forward a proposal for the Council of the EU. (JK/transl.rt)