This week much has been said about the opt-out clause on overtime work. For clarity’s sake, one must explain that on the basis of a 40-hour week, the European Union, over a proposal by the Socialist group in the European Parliament which originated from Spain, has recommended that this opt-out clause be scrapped. Our MEPs had different voting patterns on this subject, which affects the Maltese worker.
The opt-out clause recommends a healthy and safe working week, taking into consideration travelling time and more time with one’s family which, per se, are all good values.
However, it establishes a cap of eight hours maximum overtime in the same workplace per week.
It excludes anybody who is autonomous, and occupies a managerial status, among others.
As the Maltese worker may seem to be harassed by such a restriction, one has to immediately state that it does not preclude any worker from doing a part-time job elsewhere.
It may seem to some, going by other people’s interpretations, that if nobody can work more than eight hours overtime per week, then home loans or car loans cannot be paid.
The whole directive is a complex one that has been going on for a number of years, and is periodically reviewed, probably as unemployment rises in the EU main players.
Malta’s stance seemed to be against the removal of the opt-out clause, and our two Nationalist MEPs voted accordingly.
The MLP representatives had different feelings it seemed: one voted against, one abstained and the other abstained then clarified his vote.
The opt-out clause now goes to the Council of Ministers whose vote has to be taken. This is where Malta plays a part in the enlarged EU. Malta’s voice will be heard and our vote will count as much as that of the others. This will help the Maltese worker in no uncertain manner. Today we are part of the family and our vote counts.
Had we stayed out, these points that might hurt Malta and the Maltese would go through, affect us just the same, and we would have to stand out, alone, in the cold, waiting for others to plan our lives. My personal opinion is that this clause will stay, as it already has the verbal confirmation of other EU nations.
Other interesting points in the EU directive are the flexibility of working time for employees based on seasonality or factory orders.
On a private visit in Germany I was shown around large and medium places of work, where each worker has a credit card like a swipe card, on which work hours are calculated over a period of a year.
He/she then works his/her time according to the establishments’ needs, working more or less depending on the exigencies of the company.
In this way, both employee and employer have taken the best from each other, leaving as much free time as is needed.
Another talking point is the new electoral boundaries as proposed. I am sure that there is another fair solution that, after all, respects the voters in a general election. Some districts have been disintegrated, while others further set up, rather than joined up, as is the spirit of our Constitution. Voting patterns on a local level differ from national elections, in percentage turnout, on issues voted for and in candidates presented, both in Malta and Gozo. Let common sense prevail, and the voters’ preferences be safeguarded.
Robert Arrigo is a
Nationalist MP