Finns disappointed by failure of EU working time negotiations

Tarja Filatov

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The Finnish EU Presidency experienced a bitter disappointment as the EU ministers responsible for labour and social affairs were unable to reach agreement on the Working Time Directive at their meeting in Brussels on November 7th.
      "We came fairly close to reaching an agreement, but not close enough", Finland's Minister of Labour Tarja Filatov (SDP) stated after the failed negotiations.
     
The compromise suggested by Finland was overturned by France, Italy, Spain, Greece, and Cyprus. They all called for the removal of the so-called opt-out provision that would enable overlong working weeks in the member states of the union.
      The removal of the opt-out provision, in turn, was objected to by supporters of a more liberal legislation, namely Great Britain and the new member states, primarily from Eastern Europe.
      France has agreed on a 35-hour-long workweek. The French see that allowing overlong working weeks would unfairly benefit other EU member states.
      According to Finland's compromise model, under certain conditions the member states would have been able to allow working weeks exceeding 48 hours in length. No timetable was suggested for the removal of this option.
     
Just like Filatov, Vladimir Spidla, the EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, and Equal Opportunities, was also disappointed by the result of the meeting.
      Spidla has threatened 23 member states - including Finland - with disciplinary measures, because they are in breach of the present working time legislation. The EU Commission can summon member states to the EU Tribunal for violations against agreements.
      "We have to start disciplinary actions as soon as possible. It is our duty", Spidla stressed.
      Before Finland, several other countries at the EU helm have tried to solve the vexed working time issue and come up short in the attempt.
      Germany, whose 6-month term as the EU Presidency will commence in January, has already announced that it will not bring up the subject during this time.


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