Labour and Tories join forces to block legal action call against UK Government on 48 hour week

Plaid Cymru Deputy Leader Jill Evans MEP has condemned UK Labour and Tory MEPs for failing to back calls to take legal action against the British Government for not enforcing EU rules to prevent workers being exploited.

Euro-MPs meeting in Strasbourg were voting on a review of the way EU countries are implementing rules to prevent workers being exploited through being forced to work more than 48 hours a week by unscrupulous employers.

Critically, the review included a provision to take legal action against the British government for its failure to prevent the 'widespread and systematic abuse' of the 48 hour maximum working week opt out negotiated by the UK. UK Labour and Tory MEPs supported a successful amendment removing the call for legal action against the UK. Plaid Cymru MEPs Jill Evans and Eurig Wyn supported calls for legal action to defend workers from exploitation.

Speaking after the vote, Jill Evans MEP said:

"Labour and the Tories showed their true colours today in joining forces to prevent action being taken over the widespread abuse of the 48 hour working week in the UK. British workers are being exploited and the Government has got away with it yet again."

Diwedd/End.