'Carry on working' deal's survival is welcomed.

Byline: Iain Laing

WORKERS can continue to put in extra hours to keep companies going after efforts to curb Britain's opt-out from Europe's 48-hour working week were scuppered.

Business leaders in the North East voiced relief yesterday that the latest in a series of meetings between EU officials and Euro-MPs had broken down and the UK could labour on unchecked by the Working Time Directive.

Employment Relations Minister Pat McFadden said: "We refused to be pushed into a bad deal for Britain. We have said consistently that we will not give up the opt-out and we have delivered on that pledge. Everyone has the right to basic protections surrounding the hours that they work, but it is also important that they have the right to choose those hours." Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: "Millions of people are better off because of the opt-out and I am relieved we have been able to resist its removal." The UK used to be the only defender of the opt-out, but now 14 other member states take advantage of it.

Last December Euro-MPs voted to scrap the opt-out they felt laid workers open to exploitation, although businesses and even the European Commission voiced concerns.

And talks finally broke down between the European Parliament and governments, although a new commission team may try to revive the debate after the summer. North East Chamber of Commerce head of policy

Ross Smith said: "We very much welcome the fact that businesses in the Uk have maintained their choice to be flexible when it comes to working hours.

"We have seen absolutely no evidence that this had been abused in the UK and believe it is one of the factors that has given us a competitive advantage in the past." And despite concerns from some union chiefs, Unite North East regional secretary Bob Bolam said: "Most people are more concerned with keeping their job at the moment rather than worrying about working a few extra hours.

"As long as the employer and the employee agree that this is OK, there is nothing wrong with maintaining our right to opt out of the directive, especially during a time when a number of businesses are stretched as it is." And North East regional chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses Colin Stratton said: "It isn't the right time to be discussing whether or not they should be working more than 48 hours each week as some firms are relying on the flexibility that the opt-out gives them at present." Tony Sarginson, external affairs adviser for EEF in the North East, said: "Manufacturers in the North East will be relieved that they and their employees can now continue to use the individual opt-out from the average 48-hour working week following the collapse of discussions in Brussels last night. " CBI regional director Sarah Green said: "We welcome the retention of the opt-out, which we have been calling for in London and Brussels. It allows people to make their own decision about the hours they work."