Commission working time backing

The European Commission is backing BECTU's case against the British government on leave for freelances.

BECTU is taking the government to the European Court of Justice over its implementation of the Working Time Directive.

While the Directive states that every worker is entitled to annual leave, the UK's regulations limit this right to those with more that 13 weeks service with their employer. This means that freelances, or those on contracts of less than 13 weeks, are not entitled to annual leave under the UK Working Time Regulations.

In its submission to the European Court of Justice, the European Commission states that Article 7 of the Directive on Working Time is clear: every worker is entitled to paid annual leave with no exceptions.

BECTU General Secretary commented: "This unequivocal support from the European Commission vindicates BECTU's decision to take the British government to the European Court. We are determined to establish in law the rights of our members working freelance and short term contracts to have paid holidays, and our case has been immeasurably strengthened by this development."