The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has warned of the risk to the working time opt-out, ahead of a conciliation committee meeting in Brussels on Wednesday.

The removal of the working time opt-out, which permits people to choose to work more than 48 hours a week, backed by Socialist MEPs, could damage career aspirations and affect overtime at a time when workers want to help support their families during the recession, the CBI says.

John Cridland, CBI deputy director-general, says: “Who should choose your working hours, you or politicians in Brussels? We think people can make up their own minds about the hours they want to work.

“The legislation proposed by some politicians would impose a ban on working longer hours, and not take into account individual circumstances and ambitions.

“Some people want to work longer hours and some do not. We think the solution is to give people a choice, as they have at the moment. Some MEPs think the solution should be a stop sign, and if you want to keep working, tough luck.

“A common position was agreed last year by member states, and these attempts by some MEPs to shift that position should be resisted.”