Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001833/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Alice Teodorescu Måwe (PPE)
The EU Working Time Directive (2003/88/EC) is causing ever greater problems in Sweden. In 2021, the Commission announced that the provisions of several Swedish collective agreements, in particular with regard to 24-hour shifts (known in Swedish as dygnspass), were in breach of the directive’s rules on daily rest periods. Since then, the social partners have been forced to renegotiate a number of collective agreements. As a result, 24-hour shifts are no longer allowed. This has already had serious consequences, not least for people who use personal assistance services, but also when it comes to the recruitment of staff in the emergency services and personal assistants, among others.
In the light of the foregoing:
- 1.Does the Commission intend to initiate a targeted review of the Working Time Directive so that, in future, the social partners in Sweden can conclude agreements to restore 24-hour shifts and derogations from the rules on daily rest periods?
- 2.Does the Commission see any other reasons to revise the Working Time Directive, for example the need for urgent action to bolster the European defence industry?
Submitted: 26.9.2024