EU 'Utopia' should be taken with large dose of salt

Aug 13 2003 By Bill Midgley, The Journal

It is a well known Government ploy to leak contentious areas of policy as "thinking about", listening to reactions and deciding whether to go ahead with what has been leaked as a basis for new legislation.

It would appear that the Government believes we need more holidays in an attempt to put right the "work/life balance". Attractive jargon, and few of us would refuse more holidays.

The reasoning behind this particular piece of Government initiative is really about the Working Time Directive, which is one of those pieces of European legislation we have had to adopt in recent years.

The directive in this country is somewhat less harsh than in the rest of Europe, and as ever there is pressure for us to fall in line with our partners. Perhaps because if we do not conform we may become a little more productive, which Europe would see as a threat.

The Government has avoided some of the more extreme measures of European legislation, and the Working Time Directive is an example of this.

However, there is concern that the Government has been backed into a corner by Europe and will have to accept new limits as a trade-off for retaining its veto in other European legislation.

Europe is suffering in economic terms mainly because the rest of the world is more competitive.

Coupled with our economic competitors' ability to embrace technology more quickly and efficiently means that we cannot fiddle about in looking at ways in which we can pay ourselves more for doing less. Recently the North-East was honoured to be visited by the High Commissioner of India who was keen to strengthen relationships with the UK, and particularly our region.

This offers a real opportunity for investment both ways, and for working together with the sub-continent. It also offers a threat if we do not heed the warning signs. The opportunity to work with the industrious Indians may be a far better alternative to us than listening to the Utopian phrases of the "work/life balance".

Hopefully Miss Hewitt and her officials will take on board what was said to her. Hopefully!