제 목 : New Phase of Working Time Directive
일 자 : 1997년 12월
제공처 : Safety ＆ health(EU Update)
New Phase of Working Time Directive
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The European Commission has released a white paper to member
states and other stakeholders to comment on the possible extension of
the European Union's Working Time Directive to almost all areas of
industry.
Currently, the Working Time Directive does not cover transport
activities (sea, air, land, inland waterways and rail), sea fishing, other
work at sea or doctors in training.
As reported in the November l996 EU Update, the directive limits the
workweek to 48 hours, including overtime. This can be averaged out
over periods of up to 12 month under special circirmstances. The
directive includes requirement that cover paid holidays and rest breaks.
"We've always made it clear that we didn't like the first Working
Time Directive," says Teresa de Liedekerke from the employer lobby
group UNICE. "Working time should be dealt with at the member
state level to take into accoun difierences in workplace culture
Working time is related to work organization, and that is not a healt
and safety issue as for as we are concerned."
De Liedekerke says, however that whatever the outcome of current
negotiations on the extension the first directive seems here to stay.
This was confirmed early this year by a ruling of the European Court on
an objection to the directive from member state. The court decide
that under EU health and safety law, working time was part of the "work-
ing environment" and therefore health and safety issue.
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