The Austrian presidency of the EU hopes to break the deadlock in the directive bill about working hours that revises a directive of 1993, during the Council of the Social Services Ministers that will take place on June 1st and 2nd. The situation is strange. The 25 wish the passing of a bill that would clarify the duty period system at the same time as including the question of the opt-out. However, a solution is being considered : divide up the text and solve what can be solved then maintain the text of 1993 for the rest. This scenario presents a risk which is that the text never exits the European Parliament. (Ref. 06542)
Everybody doubts that the Austrian compromise proposal (see our article n° 06525) ever comes to any result and yet the Member States’ delegations feel close to a crisis’ end. However, two days before the Council (June 1st and 2nd), the Member States stick to their line clearly opposed and hard to reconcilable. Nevertheless, the Austrian Presidency does not admit defeat and intends to carry on the meeting until a compromise is reached.
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