From the Wall Street Journal (page A13 in the print edition):
European lawmakers voted to end Britain's exemptions from Europe's maximum 48-hour workweek, in Europe's latest battle pitting partisans of a business-friendly environment against traditional social protections for workers.
Socialist members of the European Parliament cheered and hugged Spanish Socialist Alejandro Cercas, author of the Parliament's position, which sets up a fight among the EU's 25 member countries over whether to back the bill into law. Britain is expected to try to muster a big enough coalition to block the legislation.
The issue has become a cause celebre in France, where opponents of a controversial European constitution up for public referendum in two weeks suspect the EU wants to impose more free-market conditions similar to those in Britain and the U.S., where economic growth is stronger but many worker protections are weaker. Parliament members on the winning side proclaimed their vote proved that Europe could continue to emphasize social protections...
In Britain, 40% of industry extends working hours beyond 48 hours, according to a survey by the London-based Institute of Directors. Backing Britain's position on flexibility are eight countries including Germany, Poland and Estonia, according to U.K. Socialist MEP Stephen Hughes, which is enough votes to block the legislation. That group of countries will face down seven states that favor capping working hours: France, Sweden, Finland, Greece, Spain, Belgium and Hungary. Both camps will now woo the remaining EU countries for support.
You may be shocked to learn that the Brits are not pleased.
"Today's vote shows the European Parliament has learned nothing about the challenge of globalization," said Sir Digby Jones, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry. "Presumably these are the same MEPs [members of the European Parliament] who will be complaining about employers relocating to China and India in the years to come."
The timing is either good or bad, depending on how you feel about the prospects of political integration in Europe.
Britain says it already has a blocking minority among member countries. But the Parliament's vote sets up a debate that could affect the fate of the European constitution in both Britain and France.
UPDATE: Calculated Risk reports on bad news from France, and the continuing woes in Japan. Capital Chronicle reacts to the retail sales slump in the U.K.