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date: 14 September 2005

embargo: immediate

welcome for government move on off shore working time

Following Employment Relations Minister Gerry Sutcliffe's statement today saying that he is minded to change the law to clarify that off shore workers are covered by the Working Time Directive, Brendan Barber TUC General Secretary said:

'The TUC and its affiliated unions covering offshore workers - Amicus, GMB, NUMAST, RMT and the T&G - welcome the Minister taking action on this issue.

'We have always believed that offshore workers are covered by these regulations. We were very disappointed that the employers have used the law to try to stop workers getting their rights under the Working Time Directive. This change would help provide real protection for offshore workers. All we've ever asked for is that they should have the same holiday rights as everybody else'.

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Press release (400 words) issued 14 Sep 2005