(16 April 2010) In an initial response to the European Commission’s Communication on working time, EPSU stresses the need to keep issue of safety at the centre of the debate. And this is not just a question of workers’ health and safety but about the need to protect a wide range of people who rely on public service workers for their health and protection.
EPSU general secretary Carola Fischbach-Pyttel said: “Hundreds of thousands of our members are delivering essential services to millions of people across Europe. From social care to firefighting, workers are being asked to help and protect people at all times of the day and night. The health and safety of these workers is paramount to ensure that they can do their job effectively and safely.”
EPSU will prepare a formal response to the Communication but has circulated an initial reaction to its affiliates that highlights its main concerns about the Commission’s approach. EPSU is critical of the Commission’s analysis about fundamental changes in working time. It also worried about the fact that the Communication suggestion that other factors such as productivity, competition and the burden of regulation should be allowed to undermine health and safety as the primary goal of the Working Time Directive.
The circular and document were sent to all affiliates on Thursday 15 April:
- for our members only
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