Working Time Shutdown

In November, the European Commission (EC) proposed to enforce the 48-hour working week by removing the right for workers to opt-out of this limitation. The UK, however, argued that the opt-out was a vital ingredient to the country's flexible labour market.

The UK does not have a veto in this area, but support from Germany and Poland ensured the opt-out was maintained.
 
The EC also proposed making a distinction between "active" and "inactive" time on duty, so that inactive time would not count as working time. Although most countries agree with this, the European Parliament does not. It would like to see inactive time calculated differently.

If the member states fail to reach agreement on both of these issues, the law will go back to the European Parliament for a second reading. It could take some time for the EU member states and the parliament to agree on a text. If they cannot agree, the legislation will fail.