November 7, 2006
Wheeling and dealing
To understand the often down and dirty world of EU policy-making, look no further than last week’s battle to get a revised deal over rules on working hours.
The EU’s "working time" directive states that employees cannot put in more than 48 hours a week, even if they want to.
The law has become a symbol of the divide between "liberal" and "social" Europe - but has left both sides stretching their principles.
The idea that Brussels caps working hours, (its reasonings are health and safety) on health and safety grounds) is incomprehensible to some.
This includes "liberal" Britain, which "opts out" of the rules.
Spurred by the business lobby, London once again saw off French-led demands to scrap the British "opt out" as part of the EU’s efforts to overhaul the laws.
Britain can keep its long-hours culture because for now it has enough support to block France.
Why?
Because years ago Tony "open markets" Blair did a backroom deal with Germany. He helped Berlin get a loophole in the EU takeover directive that would protect companies such as Volkswagen from hostile bids. In return, he received Germany’s votes on working time.
What’s more, Britain in September offered an unsuccessful deal to Italy under which it would back Rome’s demand for punitive tariffs on cheap Chinese shoes - to get Rome’s votes.
London was prepared to put aside its free-trade principles to secure support for the opt-out.
But are its opponents any better?
French president Jacques Chirac - wary of the response of trade unions and his socialist opponents as his country’s election campaign gathers pace - wouldn’t budge over his call for London to scrap the British opt-out.
France country currently has a 35-hour week. Paris believes Britons shouldn’t have a competitive advantage by choosing to put in extra time.
But the French use an opt-out so doctors and nurses can work more than 48 hours. This helps to address a European court ruling limiting the hours of medical staff.
And 14 countries that oppose the British exemption quietly apply the 48-hour cap to the job not the worker, according to the UK. That theoretically allows employees to put in a 96-hour week.
This shows the debate is increasingly irrational. But when it comes to pleasing domestic audiences on "big" Brussels deals, anything goes.
Sarah Laitner
