AD warns against creation of 'two tiers' of employees

The agreement on the Working Time Directive reached by EU ministers puts workers at a disadvantage and opens the way to abuse, Alternattiva Demokratika warned yesterday.

Ralph Cassar, AD's spokesman on energy, industry and innovation said the agreement will allow companies to have two tiers of employees: those who agree to work more than 60 hours a week, which is already high, and those who opt out of long, inhumane and dangerous working hours.

"In fact the European Trade Union Council is calling the agreement 'contrary' to the interests of employees," he said.

"Protecting the quality of life of workers and employees means capping the number of hours to a reasonable amount, together with ensuring appropriate salaries for the normal working hours.

"Employees who choose to opt out might be discriminated against in a subtle manner. It will be very difficult if not impossible for the government to make sure that we don't end up with two tiers of employees depending on whether they accept to work long, inhumane hours or not."

He said the dependence on overtime for decent wages confirms that local employees' standard of living is still quite low especially as prices of necessities explode.

AD is, however, satisfied that salaries, holidays and maternity leave are to be the same for all workers, independent of whether they work on a definite or indefinite contract.