Finance | Rebecca Pallot | 28 May 2009

Following a process of negotiation which has lasted five years, the European member states and the European Parliament have failed to reach an agreement on changes to the Working Time Directive. The European Parliament proposed the amendments to the Directive primarily because, as it stands, member states can opt out of the maximum 48-hour week.

The Parliament considered that to allow member states to opt out of legislation which had the purpose of safeguarding health and safety was not acceptable. The UK currently, along with several other member states, allows its employers to invite workers to opt out of the maximum 48-hour week. The UK has argued that it is crucial for the economy and the well-being of businesses for individuals to be able to opt out.