Abolishing working time opt-out will damage business recovery
17/03/09 | 12:22
The conciliation process has started today in Brussels over whether to maintain an opt-out from the Working Time Directive. The UK is one of 15 countries that use the opt-out. Commenting, David Frost, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
"This issue has dragged on long enough and sends a poor message to the rest of the world about whether Europe is open for business.
“It would be extremely foolish to try and end the UK’s opt-out, especially during a painful recession. The opt-out provides the essential flexibility that many businesses and their employees are relying on to get through this downturn.”
Ends
Media Contacts:
Fiona Cunningham
Tel: 020 7654 5812
Email: f.cunningham@britishchambers.org.uk
OR
Sam Turvey
Tel: 020 7654 5813
Email: s.turvey@britishchambers.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is the National Voice of Local Business.
The BCC sits at the heart of a powerful nationwide network of Accredited Chambers of Commerce serving business across the UK, which employ over five million people.