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European Union

EU Ministers to Discuss Revisions to Working Time Directive and Equality Laws

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

EU Ministers are set to discuss significant revisions to the Working Time Directive, the Temporary Workers Directive, and equality laws, including equal pay and treatment for men and women in the supply of goods and services. The proposed changes seek to address issues such as company flexibility, equal pay, and the definition of working time.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European Commission has proposed revising the Working Time Directive, allowing companies to opt-out of the 48-hour workweek limit only through collective agreements with trade unions.
  • The revised directive would also extend the reference period for calculating working time from four to six months to up to one year through national legislation.
  • A new category of working time, "inactive on-call time," would not constitute working time within the meaning of the Directive.
  • Britain, Germany, and Poland oppose any move that could limit businesses from opting-out of the legislation.
  • The Council aims to reach a political agreement on a draft Directive to create equal treatment between men and women in the supply of goods and services, but issues surrounding the use of gender in the insurance industry are a major point of contention.
  • Temporary workers in the EU continue to face equal pay and conditions issues, with ministers unable to agree on the qualifying period before temps enjoy the same rights as full-time workers.
  • The UK, Ireland, Germany, and Denmark firmly oppose setting this period at less than six months, while other Member States consider this too long.

Statistics:

  • The average workweek limit in the Working Time Directive is 48 hours.
  • 22% of women in the EU have fewer serious road accidents compared to men.
  • The qualifying period for temporary workers to enjoy equal pay and conditions is a major point of contention, with some Member States proposing six months and others suggesting up to a year.

Sources:

  • "Proposal from the European Commission to revise Working Time Directive" (September 22, 2003).
  • Opinions of the Social Protection Committee (SPC) based on a recent Commission Communication on the sustainability of high-quality health care and long-term care.
  • "Communication on the sustainability of high-quality health care and long-term care" (Commission of the European Communities).
  • "Green paper on equality and non-discrimination in an enlarged EU" (Commission of the European Communities).

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