48 hour working week opt out

[BigDogsWang]

Despite our Governments protest, Labour MEP's voting to ban it mean those who WANT to work hard, earn decent money and prop up the economy won't be allowed to.
I would dearly love to see how they will police this one. Once again, the unions get their way because they don't stop to think of the Self Employed, who it has to be said, help keep this country well and truly on it's feet.
Does this Government not have a say in what it's own MEP's vote for?

[Hgrove]

As you say, we may have been speaking at cross purposes. If someone has to work over 50 hours to make a decent living, then something is wrong here.  Employers should pay a decent wage for a reasonable working week.  50 hours + is too much. What does it do to someone's life?  Today in the Guardian there are interviews with people about this.  A lorry driver says he is trying to get out of the game. He says the private lives of the lorry drivers suffer because of the long hours.  However, it seems to me, when no-one can work 50 hours + (or 48), the blue collar workers will no longer be able to turn down contracts under 48 hours because all the contracts will be under 48 hours.  They would have to turn down everything!  I believe wages will have to rise and the workers will win in the end.  Of course, time will tell. I don't feel sorry for employers one bit I am afraid. Didwot, thanks for clarifying the law, but there is nothing to stop the employer sacking the employee who opts out a few months down the line.  It is not easy to prove the opt out is the reason. So many things can happen in between... I have seen it done so many times.