The Austrian Presidency of the EU could create a surprise regarding the draft working time directive

The draft working time directive is on the agenda for the next EU Council of Ministers responsible for Employment and Social Policies, which will take place on 1st and 2nd June. If the latest proposal from the Austrian Presidency has little chance of succeeding, another end of the crisis scenario may make a potential compromise between the 25 plausible at the next ministerial meeting. (Ref. 06525)
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Not a lot has been said about it recently, and for good reason. The draft working time directive, revising a directive which dates back to 1993, should be settled between the ministers themselves. The principal bone of contention remains the issue of the individual opt-out which enables an employer, with its employee’s consent, to exceed the weekly 48 hour limit. On 1st and 2nd June, the Employment and Social Policy Council will meet for the last time under the Austrian Presidency. It is...

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