Brussels, 13/05/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament's decision this week to gradually scrap the opt-out clause from the maximum 48-hour working week is still creating waves in the European political scene, with employers and trade unions (the social partners) hardening their lines. There is the danger of conflict between the EP and the European Commission, despite reassuring noises from Commissioner Vladimir Spidla on Thursday, following his rejection at the plenary of the EP amendments on the issue (see Europe No. 8944), saying that he did not want to take account of the vote for intensive dialogue with the EP. He announced a compromise proposal for the 2 June Employment Council in Luxembourg (see Europe No. 8946).
The Vice-President of the Socialist Group at the EP, Harlem Desir, said that scrapping the opt-out clause was a huge victory for Socialists and the labour movement. He said it was unacceptable for the Commission to refuse to accept a proposal from the EP, the only institution directly elected by European citizens, and warned that the majority vote worked out so that the vote would go the same way in second reading. The GUE/NGL underlined that the decisions on 'annualised working hours and on on-call time would have very negative consequences on the lives of millions of employees throughout Europe'. On behalf of EPP-ED, French MEP Roselyne Bachelot said the gradual scrapping of the opt-out was a positive example of social harmonisation from above and the rejection of social dumping within the European Economic Area.
The trade unions expressed satisfaction with John Monks of the ETUC saying that the vote 'demonstrates a commitment on the part of a large number of the political groups represented in the Parliament to play a significant role in defending the European social model and fundamental rights against neo-liberal ideas'. Employers regret the move, with Philippe de Buck of UNICE and Hans-Werner Muller of UEAPME calling for the revised directive to establish a 12-month reference period as a general rule for calculating maximum weekly working time and for individual opt-outs to be kept, while Rainer Plassmann of CEEP wants to ensure inactive time is not counted as working time.