GMB slams European Working Time Directive move

The government's decision to retain its opt-out of the European Working Time Directive has been criticised by the GMB union.

Kathleen Walker-Shaw, European Officer at the organisation, said that a more even distribution of working hours could help tackle unemployment.

'This is a time for solidarity, not greed and what we ask for is for government to [spread] an average working week among as many people as possible,' she remarked.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson claimed that millions of people throughout the country have benefited from the opt-out since it has been in place.

Under current UK employment legislation, those over the age of 18 can choose to opt out of the 48-hour limit on working hours.

It is also illegal for employees to be fired or treated unfairly for refusing to sign an opt-out.

With around 610,000 members, the GMB is a general union and is organised in 32 of the UK's 50 largest companies.