THE Tory Euro-sceptics are right in wanting John Major to stand up to Europe over plans to limit British workers to a 48-hour week.

It looks likely that the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg will rule that the Government must give way and force UK bosses to abide by the hours rule. But British firms have warned that the measure could cost Britain £1.7 billion a year.

While we are not advocating that people regularly should work more than 48 hours a week, there are occasions, particularly in seasonal jobs, where this might be necessary.

Firms should have the freedom to ask workers do do the extra hours and not be dictated to by Brussels. Many workers, in fact, welcome the overtime that seasonal or production demands throw up. They should not be denied the right to work by the EU.

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