Talks end over working rights
TALKS over a planned European directive aimed at giving new employment rights to temporary and agency workers has ended without agreement.
The UK Government continued to voice its opposition to a new directive during the meeting of European ministers in Brussels yesterday, arguing it would damage the country’s flexible labour market and hit jobs.
North-east business leaders have already voiced concerns that new regulations could hit industry - in particular small firms.
Ministers also discussed a directive on working time, which the UK has opted out of despite growing calls from unions to take action to cut working hours in the UK.
No agreement was made on either directive but further talks are expected next year.
Business groups have urged the Government to stand firm on both issues, warning the UK’s flexible labour market would be hit if a directive on agency workers was agreed and the UK’s opt-out from the Working Time Directive was ended.
Alan Hall, northern director of manufacturers’ organisation EEF, said: “It is ironic that, at the very time that the EU is planning to adopt common principles on ‘flexicurity’, some member states are pushing for the introduction of two directives that will significantly damage labour market flexibility in the UK and the rest of Europe. If the EU is really serious about wanting to avoid exporting jobs, member states should not introduce legislation that will adversely affect Europe’s labour market in the way that these directives would do.”
But TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: “This is a bad day for rights at work across Europe, but especially in the UK. It is very disappointing there has been no progress on the agency working directive.
“Contrary to business scaremongering, this directive would not stop agencies providing temporary staff to employers who need them. What it would have done was both make it more difficult for employers to undercut wages and conditions and help slow the growth of a two-tier workforce.”
Business Secretary John Hutton said the issues were off the agenda until next year.
