4th September 2008
UK workers are putting in the longest hours in Western Europe, according to a new report by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.
Full time UK employees put in an average of 41.4 hours each week, almost one- and-a-half hours a week more than the EU average, and almost two hours more than the average for the 15 Western European countries which joined before the EU's expansion in 2004.
Only workers in newest members Bulgaria and Romania, which joined last year, now average longer hours than those in the UK, putting in 18 minutes more each week.
In comparison, French workers enjoy the shortest working week at just 37.7 hours, followed by Italy and Denmark.
However, trade unions in the UK have been successful in agreeing shorter hours, with the average agreement across all sectors being 37.3 hours, ranking as the third shortest across the EU after France and Denmark.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "UK workers are still working the longest hours in Western Europe, but this is no sign of economic strength as we are stuck at the top of the league table with poor countries in Eastern Europe."
UK works longest hours in Western Europe
Full time UK employees put in an average of 41.4 hours each week, almost one- and-a-half hours a week more than the EU average, and almost two hours more than the average for the 15 Western European countries which joined before the EU's expansion in 2004.
Only workers in newest members Bulgaria and Romania, which joined last year, now average longer hours than those in the UK, putting in 18 minutes more each week.
In comparison, French workers enjoy the shortest working week at just 37.7 hours, followed by Italy and Denmark.
However, trade unions in the UK have been successful in agreeing shorter hours, with the average agreement across all sectors being 37.3 hours, ranking as the third shortest across the EU after France and Denmark.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "UK workers are still working the longest hours in Western Europe, but this is no sign of economic strength as we are stuck at the top of the league table with poor countries in Eastern Europe."
Tags: Employment
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