Opt Out must stay and on call time should be working time.

12.00.00am GMT Tue 16th Dec 2008

Liz Lynne MEP Shadow Rapporteur for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Europe Group, speaking on the same day as the massive demonstration against the opt out by European Trade Unions and the day before the vote said:

"I believe it is important that we retain the opt out of the working time directive as long as it is truly voluntary. Workers should be allowed to earn overtime if they wish to. My fear as well is if the opt out goes more people could be pushed into illegal work and therefore will not be covered by Health and Safety legislation including the dangerous machinery directive.

"As far as on call time is concerned it should all be classed as Working Time. It is unfair to count time a doctor spends on call in an on call room in hospital for instance in any other way but as working time."