While the UK tires of Blairs 'reforms' Blair doesn't seem to be getting much cheer from Europe.
Blair led the 'flexibility' crusade in Europe, which culminated in Schroeder of Germany (SPD Party - German equivalent of New Labour) introducing the Hartz 4 'reforms' of the welfare system.
Unemployed workers in Germany can now be forced into menial work for approximately 63p per hour (so called '1 Euro' jobs paid in addition to benefits).
An important part of Britain's much vaunted flexible job market, is the opt out of the Working Time Directive's 48 hour maximum working week. This was originally introduced in 1993 under the Conservatives, and has ever since, been a bane for those trying to protect UK workers from the curse of long hours.
Unsurprisingly, British business sees the WTD opt out as 'vital', according to the Financial Times.
One British official is quoted as saying that with regard to the opt out, 'personal choice is very important'. It might well be for him, but most workers signing the opt out won't have the benefit of cocktail parties being included in their extended working week, or of the FDA Union to protect their interests. Workers will instead normally have the opt out included in the contract that they are rushed into signing. 'Personal choice' for most on the minimum wage in such a situation is that of take the job or leave it.
In trying to get Italy's support for a continued British 48 hour opt out, Blair offered Prodi Britain's agreement to support anti-dumping legislation aimed at curbing China and Vietnam's dumping of cheap shoes. Blair with his commitment to 'free trade' will have seen this as a considerable concession.
It seems that Prodi has however rebuffed this offer, partly because he hopes that support for the anti-dumping legislation is strong enough to not necessitate making Faustian pacts with the architect of New Labour.
Moreover, there are strong feelings in 'old' Europe against the WTD opt out. British working practices are seen as threatening jobs, conditions and pay all over Europe. By forcing workers to suffer long hours, often without compensation, UK industry through the Working Time Directive opt out gets an unfair advantage over Europeans offering fair terms and conditions to their workers.
The European view is, that without strong regulation, bad practices and conditions drive out the good. Industries facing this go to the wall.
Britain has tried, in the past with some success, to gain support from 'new EU' countries with right wing governments.
Until now Blair has indeed received strong support from Poland, Germany and the Baltic states. Poland's hesitation in November could however lead to a defeat for the opt out.
© Workrep 26 / 09 /2006