Tories plan to scrap EU rules on work hours and paid holidays This post was first published in 2017. Paid holidays and a cap of 48 hours to the working week are […]

This post was first published in 2017.

Paid holidays and a cap of 48 hours to the working week are both under threat as part of talks for leaving the EU.

It’s understood there is widespread support for scrapping the Working Time Directive, which caps the number of hours an employee can be expected to work.

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According to The Sun on Sunday, Theresa May’s Cabinet met today to discuss the proposals as they decide Britain’s demands in the next phase of trade talks.

Brexit backing ministers are said to be strongly in favour of scrapping the directive, which was adopted by the UK in 2003.

Currently businesses have to abide by the rules unless employees voluntarily agree to sign away the right.

Unions outraged

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady branded the move a “straight-up attack” on workers’ rights.

I've seen reports of a ministerial plot to scrap the Working Time Directive. This is a straight-up attack on our rights at work. — Frances O'Grady (@FrancesOGrady) December 17, 2017

She said: “Millions could lose their paid holidays, and be forced to work ridiculously long hours. The Working Time Directive gave nearly five million women paid holidays for the first time.

“No-one voted for Brexit to lose out on holidays, or to hand power over to bad bosses. The Prime Minister promised that our working rights would be protected after Brexit.

“Now we will see if she can keep her word, or if she is a hostage to extremists in her own cabinet.”

Ms O’Grady personally met with Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier today to discuss the proposals.

Overtime

Others have argued removing the rules could allow employees to make extra income by working overtime.

Some industries spend vast amounts of money hiring in outside agency staff to fill hours, including the NHS.

A source told The Sun on Sunday: “This is what taking back control is all about.

“It will put the power to decide how hard to work back into the hands of the people who matter — the ordinary British worker.

“One or two Brexiteers have been pushing to scrap this daft directive and there is big support for it in Cabinet.”