Working Time Directive extension "legislative overreach" - Lyon (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh Liberal Democrats)

Edinburgh East and Musselburgh Liberal Democrats <Charles.Cavaye@talktalk.net>

Working Time Directive extension "legislative overreach" - Lyon

June 13, 2010 12:01 AM
Originally published by George Lyon - Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland

George Lyon, Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland, has warned against a proposed extension of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) to include self-employed drivers calling it "legislative overreach."

On Tuesday (15th June), the European Parliament's plenary session will vote on a report adopted by the European Employment and Social Affairs Committee. It calls for self-employed drivers to be included in measures which restrict working hours to 48 hours per week.

Scottish MEPs from Labour and the Scottish National Party are backing the move that will introduce unwanted and unnecessary burdens.

Commenting, Mr Lyon said:

"The EWTD was originally introduced to protect employees from working unreasonably long hours, threatening their health, safety and quality of life.

"Call me crazy, but I do not believe that the self-employed need to be protected from themselves.

"There is not a shred of evidence to suggest that limiting working hours for self-employed drivers will improve road safety. It would be impossible to enforce and only serves to introduce another page of bureaucracy in an already oversized statute book.

"These proposals set us on a very slippery slope towards working time legislation for all self-employed workers.

"I hope that my fellow Scottish MEPs will recognise the dangers of introducing these measures and encourage their respective political groups to reconsider."