Small businesses could suffer from Euro Working Time Directive

A leading business pressure group says Labour MEPs should 'hang their heads in shame' after they voted to scrap the UK's opt out of the Working Time Directive yesterday in the European Parliament.

The Forum of Private Business, which represents 25,000 small to medium sized firms, said Labour MEPs had delivered a 'hammer blow' to British business and flown in the face of Government policy.

The FPB's Chief Executive Nick Goulding said:

"Labour MEPs have sold British business down the drain"

"They have rejected sensible and reasoned Government policy. The facts are clear. A deletion or amendment of the opt-out would critically harm the flexibility of Britain's labour market, crippling smaller firms. To remain competitive and provide jobs, products and services, Britain's opt-out must not be removed. In the real world, it is necessary for employees to put in long working weeks for peak periods of demand, large orders or deadlines. This is not draconian or unreasonable, but pragmatic and practical."