The Malta Business Bureau has described the European Parliament vote on the Working Time Directive, in favour of capping overtime, as a blow to Maltese competitiveness.

“Flexibility in the current worsening economic climate is a must for employers and workers alike. Businesses need the flexibility to organise their working hours according to changes in demand whilst workers should have the freedom to work overtime especially in difficult economic times," MBB president Stefano Mallia said.

"Given the current economic climate, the vote by the European Parliament is a vote detached from reality. The repercussions of this vote could be considerable although there is still some way to go before the final word is said.”

The MBB, which is the joint EU advisory office of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, the Malta Federation of Industry and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association,said the European Parliament vote was a blow to Maltese competitiveness.

The Bureau expressed its support to the Maltese Government for its steadfast position in safeguarding the opt-out clause throughout Council discussions and thanked all the Maltese MEPs for supporting the retention of the flexibility mechanisms contained in the Council common position.