Local and regional governments as employers

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) expresses its concern over the definition of working time in the draft revised working time directive, two days ahead of the Council debate on this issue (on 2-3 June 2005).

 

In a letter to the Council, CEMR calls for time spent resting or sleeping while on call not to be considered as working time. CEMR fears that it could dramatically alter the flexibility afforded to municipalities in managing public services, and would increase the required human and financial resources to manage public services.

 

The European Parliament had introduced an amendment going against CEMR's views (i.e. the amendment called for rest time while on call as working time), but the European Commission's revised draft directive ignores the Parliament's view.

 

CEMR thus urges the Council to support the Commission's text, particularly as regards the definition of working time.

 

CEMR's letter to the Council ahead of the debate on the working time directive

 

CEMR's position on the working time directive