"The revision of this directive is worrying millions" according to Spanish Socialist Alejandro Cercas in the debate over the working time directive on Monday in Strasbourg. MEPs were divided on whether opt-outs for the 48 maximum working week should be allowed. They will vote on the issue Wednesday. MEPs also discussed new toy safety rules.

 

MEPs were split over the merits of protecting workers rights in the face of possible exploitation and allowing sufficiently flexibility for employers and those who wish to work long hours.

 

 

Parliament's Employment Committee says the opt-out should end within 3 years. In 1993, the UK won a general opt-out clause allowing it not to apply the maximum 48-hour working week if a worker agrees to work. In other countries the opt-out applies only in some sectors.

 

Mr Cercas drafted Parliament's report on working time and he wants an end to the opt-out.

 

During the debate Portuguese José Albino Silva Peneda for the centre right EPP-ED group asked the key question: "Do we want Europe's workers to work around 8 hours per day including Saturday?"

 

Another issue was how to account for the time spent on getting to the workplace. Swedish Socialist Jan Andersson said: "It is not time off. We say it is working time, you've left your house and you're going to work."

 

Some MEPs argued that workers should be free to choose how much they want to work. British Liberal Liz Lynne said: "It is important that workers can earn overtime if they want to. On call time should be classed as working time."

 

 

Chemicals and heavy metals will be kept out of toys in future. This comes after MEPs and European Ministers agreed new rules for foreign made toys.

 

In Monday's debate, Belgian Christian Democrat Marianne Thyssen (EPP-ED) explained the need for an update: "What is new is the measure on allergens, there will be a ban on 55 allergenic fragrances and others will only be allowed to use with the proper label."

 

 

Also on Monday MEPs debated a report on the simplification of trade with defence-related products, new regulation for the approval of cars with high emissions and EU funding for regional and social projects. 

 

 

"I tried to move Europe, but Europe changed me," French President Sarkozy told MEPs yesterday as he wrapped up the six-month French Presidency of the Council. EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering responded by thanking Mr Sarkozy for his "display of will for a unity of Europe". The afternoon's debates focused on climate change and the energy package.

 

Nicolas Sarkozy said a strong Europe must be a unified Europe. Specifically commenting on the climate change agreement he said, "when we do not have unity, how will the rest of the world listen to us".

 

 

He got a mixed reception from MEPs. Socialist group leader Martin Schulz said, "Your presidency was a success because you stood up for Europe".

 

Liberal group leader Graham Watson said President Sarkozy's term resembled a "fairy tale" citing "riding to the rescue of our lady of Georgia" and welcoming the "Cinderella of London" to the ball".

 

Christian Democrat Chairman Joseph Daul paid tribute to the Presidency for the outcome of the climate change negotiations. "The EU must now lead the worldwide fight against climate change, press the worst polluters to act, and seek tangible commitments from President Obama."

 

Daniel Cohn Bendit, co-leader of the Greens was less enthusiastic. "The climate and economy packages are not enough," he said. "There are certain things even you cannot do."

 

 

MEPs debated the climate change and energy package in the afternoon including, renewables, greenhouse emissions, emission performance standards for new passenger cars and geological storage of carbon dioxide

 

MEPs adopted reports on:

 

MEPs backed new Europe-wide legislative package on climate change that fixes targets for the reduction of European greenhouse gas emissions Wednesday. They also voted to end opt-outs to EU limits on working time. At midday the Parliament's 20th Sakharov Prize was awarded to Chinese dissident Hu Jia, in absentia.

 

 

Following negotiations between EU leaders over the previous weekend, MEPs backed the climate package, which constitutes the EU's response to the challenge of global warming. 

 

By 2020, EU countries aim to achieve a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a 20% improvement in energy efficiency and a 20% share for renewables in the EU energy mix.

 

The vote on working time pitched MEPs against many EU governments, as the Parliament wants all exceptions to the 48 hours working time ended within three years.  Now the issue will have to be hammered out between ministers and MEPs. Read more below.

 

 

At the award of the Parliament's annual human rights prize, President Hans-Gert Pöttering said Chinese cyber dissident Hu Jia "was nominated as the representative of the silenced voices of China and Tibet, but today we will hear that voice."

 

Imprisoned Hu Jia could not attend the ceremony. However, his wife Zeng Jinyan, who is under house arrest with their young daughter, gave an emotional video message to the Parliament, giving news from her husband, thanking them for their support and expressing hope for a "more open and democratic China".

 

 

On Wednesday afternoon MEPs discussed human rights. A report by Italian MEP Giusto Catania's (GUE/NGL) points to many violations of fundamental rights in the world, for example serious discrimination against minorities and threats to privacy, and gives recommendations for improvement. A previous report on this issue was rejected by parliament in 2004.

 

Mr Catania said, "We are rightly concerned about Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib or China, but there must be consistency between our internal and external policies. We also need to pay scrutiny to human rights in the EU.".

 

There will be a vote on the report in January.