Fresh laws on 48-hour working week rejected by parliament

REVISED legislation to ensure employees cannot be forced to work more than a 48-hour week under the terms of their employment was thrown out by the European Parliament yesterday when it voted for an amended version.

They objected to countries being allowed to opt out from the law, and said any time employees spend on call must be treated as hours worked.

Minister for Labour Affairs Billy Kelleher said the Government has not availed of the opt-out in the current legislation and has made special provision to include junior hospital doctors by 2009 in the 48-hour maximum working week.