Working time directive 'could lead to job losses'

Removing the opt-out clause from the EU's Working Time Directive would reduce the flexibility of Malta's labour market and could result in job losses, Parliamentary Secretary Francis Agius told the European Union's EPSCO council in Brussels yesterday.

The directive deals with the average working hours that, according to EU legislation, employees in the EU are allowed to work. The directive, however, allows countries to opt out.

Representing Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Dr Agius said Malta had expressed its concern on the implementation of the Working Time Directive during negotiations because of problems of compliance with certain provisions.

The government had asked for a special arrangement while negotiations were in progress on the premise that sectors such as manufacturing would suffer.

The Working Time Directive was said to reduce the flexibility of the labour market if not properly implemented. "Malta restricted its request for this arrangement to the manufacturing sector, which was identified as the most vulnerable sector," Dr Agius said.

No derogation had been given but the government had revised its original request because of the existence of the opt-out clause.

Dr Agius said the possible removal of the opt-out clause has therefore renewed Malta's concern because this would have serious effects on the manufacturing sector and other sectors of the Maltese economy.

"Malta's health sector has also expressed its serious concern at the possible removal of the opt-out clause of the directive. Specialist health care resources are very limited due to the small number of specialist doctors and are also a relatively expensive resource to train and retain and the health authorities reported that it would have problems to guarantee current levels service in the short and medium-term if the opt-out clause were to be removed."