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Chamber of Commerce supports government proposals
By MaltaMedia News
Jun 13, 2008 - 6:34:20 PM
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The Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise has expressed its satisfaction at the conclusion on the outstanding issue of the Working Time Directive (WTD) during this week’s Employment and Social Affairs Council held in Luxembourg.
The Chamber reiterated that it is imperative that similar agreements which can put the concept of flexicurity into practice are stressed upon by governments all over Europe.
Chamber Director-General, Mr Kevin J. Borg said that there are various important aspects of this revised draft of the WTD. One such fundamental issue – which was widely debated in Malta during the run-up to the EU-accession referendum – is the basic issue of the opt-out from the standard maximum limit of 48 hours average per week on a period of 17 weeks.
The Chamber supports the position taken by the Maltese government on the draft proposal providing for a maximum capping of working time per week. As is, this is set at 60 hours averaged over a three-month period which is extendable through collective agreement. The Chamber insists that government’s proposal for this to be capped at 65 hours – instead of 60 hours – over a three-month period, could permit more flexibility without any imposition.
“The Chamber looks forward in earnest to the eventual ratification of this proposal by the European Parliament,” added Mr Borg.
Concluding, he said that the Chamber will be active in the discussion on this matter within the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD), and insisted that it should be left to employers and employees to strike the right balance whilst remaining flexible to reach higher competitive and productive levels which are sorely needed in the current bleak international economic scenario.
© Copyright 2008 by MaltaMedia.com
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Jun 13, 2008 - 12:15:22 PM CET
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