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MEPs vote to abolish 48-hour week opt-out
Page 7
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THE RIGHT OF non-mobile workers and some drivers in the transport industry to opt out of the 48-hour week could end within three years following a vote in the European Parliament.
Last week, the Employment Committee voted to end the right of workers to opt out of the Working Time Directive's average working week. "Occasional mobile workers" have the right to opt out, such as drivers who work no more than 10 days in a reference period of less than 26 weeks. HGV driver generally can't opt out. but van drivers can. They are covered by the Working Time Regulations 1998 rather than the Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations 2005 but are still subject to EU hours rules.
The decision brings MERs into conflict with the Council of Ministers, who think the opt-outshould stay, provided those who do opt out work no more than 60 hours a week or 65 hours where there is no agreement,