The BBC reports that the EU employment ministers are meeting this week to discuss the EU working hours law. As a EU rule, the current proposals are complicated - set normal hours, overall maximum hours and the option of opting out. If the proposal will be implemented, they will restrict labour markets. Liberal working hours promote economic growth and lowers unemployment. For example, the UK's economy has performed better than the heavily regulated French economy.
Also, the proposal would increase the regulatory burden of businesses who would have to submit exhaustive records of hours worked by staff. The proposal, as put forward by Finland the current presidency holder, includes at least 4 weeks' paid annual leave, that the 48-hour working week could be averaged out over a reference period of 12 months and the maximum working week set at 65 or 75 hours. All these clauses, exemptions and opting outs will create more confusion and businesses will have to monitor workers' hours to not to break the law. The EU should abandon the proposal for a restrictive law and should pormote liberal markets that benefit the members' economies.
Comments
None of their business
Absolutely. I can't see that it is any business of my government how long I work. And I certainly can't see that it is any business of the Finnish or French governments how long I work. That is between me and my employer.
When will the continentals make the connection between high employment protection and high unemployment? Sweden is often quoted as a counter-example, but even ignoring the fact that the Swedes were sufficiently dissatisfied with the system to vote out the Socialists and bring in a right-wing government, even under the Socialist government, the provision was generous for those who qualified, but not easily available.