IN response to the European Union's Working Time Directive, I see Tony Eaves wasted no time in regurgitating UKIP's tired old message of saying "no" to anything the EU has to say (Letters, Monday, May 23).
His letter seemed to defend the rights of those who work overtime from choice. The majority of this country's workers in the catering, leisure and retail service, do overtime out of necessity to make ends meet.
In some cases, these workers are required to work on Sundays and Bank Holidays at normal rates of pay.
He also claimed that workers would be seeking pay increases to compensate for a reduction in their earnings. Well, where is his evidence for this claim, because since the demise of the unions, the service sector is increasingly employing temporary staff from private employment agencies, as and when required.
Britain's worldwide competitiveness may have something to do with British companies outsourcing and re-allocating their operations abroad, where labour is cheap and free from minimum wage and health and safety laws.
I wonder if Mr Eaves is familiar with the appalling social conditions of the British industrial revolutions. It took social reformers years of hard work to bring dignity and rights to working class people. Finally, Mr Eves also claimed that his stand during the recent General Election was "who governs this country." Alas, that message did not do him and UKIP much good.
L SPITERI,
Worcester.
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