Press Release: Working time directive: EESC sees Commission proposal as a ‘step back’ and tables compromise

Report on the Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the European Commission's proposal on the modification of the working time directive, adopted on 11 May 2005. The ESC held that the proposed changes would be a considerable step back, and underlined the need for protection of workers' health and safety and for greater compatibility between work and family life and proposes as a compromise a balance between workers' rights and flexibility.