UK ensures right to work overtime

The agreement on the Working Time Directive and the Agency Workers Directive at the EU Employment Council allows the UK's labour market flexibility to continue, while ensuring workers are still being treated fairly. John Hutton, Business Secretary, commented on the deal: "This agreement means that people remain free to earn overtime and businesses can cope during busy times. "Securing the right for people to work longer if they choose to do so is hugely valuable to the British economy." He added: "The agreement on agency working will give a fair deal for agency workers and prevent unfair undercutting of permanent staff while retaining important flexibility for businesses to hire staff for short-term seasonal contracts or key busy times."