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Hours limits in four months?
Page 10
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by Rob Willock • Lorry drivers now face an annual limit on working hours as the European Commission seeks a compromise option for "mobile workers" within its Working Time Directive.
Transport workers are possibly just four months away from being included in widened restrictions on working hours, following a unanimous agreement by EU member state representatives on Monday that minimum provisions must be established in the sector.
A majority at the Council of Ministers meeting expressed a preference for "option 3" in the EC Working Time Directive White Paper, which suggests a differentiated approach to extending hours limits.
Under this option a distinction would be made between mobile and nonmobile workers. Nonmobile workers would remain subject to the existing 48-hour maximum week, while mobile workers would face amended rules providing four weeks paid annual leave, guaranteed adequate rest and a stipulated maximum number of hours to be worked annually.
Sources suggest the proposals could be introduced as early as March.
An annual reference period could provide greater flexibility than the alternative 48-hours-perweek limit or current 90hours-per-fortnight EC drivers hours maximum.
The Freight Transport Association says it is still considering its stance on the question of working time, but a spokesman adds: "In an industry which relies heavily on flexibility, anything which provides that is sensible."
A spokesman for the Road Haulage Association adds: "We would be very concerned by any directive which caused our members further difficulties. But annual restrictions appear to be among the lesser evils in the proposals."