Brussels fails to clinch deal on working hours

Agence France-Presse

The failure to reach a compromise means that it is impossible for lawmakers to consider the issue in parliament at a sitting in Strasbourg next week, the last time they meet before it is dissolved for elections in June.

The collapse of talks led to the different sides trading blame, with the EU's Czech presidency accusing lawmakers of being inflexible ahead of the elections."MEPs were not willing to accept a deal that would ... improve the employees' situation, and, at the same time, lead to a more flexible labor market," said Czech Labor Minister Petr Necas in a statement.

EU Labour Commissioner Vladimir Spidla said he was "disappointed" a compromise was not reached, explaining that EU lawmakers wanted a date for phasing out the opt-out from the maximum 48-hour work week, but European governments refused.