Euro-MP Jean Lambert has today hit back at claims that an ambulance crews 30
minute break, as laid out in the European Working Time Directive, caused the
death of a 21 year old man in Tottenham, London.
Jean, who has is a member of the European Parliament's Employment and Social Affairs Committee and last year released her report 'I must work harder? Britain and the Working Time Directive', today said; "The Working Time Directive is in place to ensure that those people in particularly stressful jobs get the rest breaks they deserve and in the case of ambulance crews ensure they do not make vital medical mistakes so often bought on by tiredness.
"Indirect causes of long hours, such as tiredness on the roads, are particularly damaging with symptoms of stress and fatigue often worse than being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. We do however have to put saving lives before having a cup of tea. "
London's Green MEP Jean Lambert continued, "There is nothing in the
Working Time Directive that says employers and their staff can not modify the
terms and conditions to suit the career they are in. The issue here is not to
undermine the Directive but to ask why there were not enough ambulance crews
avaliable to cover all breaks and emergencies that day."
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Morwenna Holland, Media Officer
tel: 020 7407 6280 or 07813149812
email: media@jeanlambertmep.org.uk
www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk
Notes to editors:
Jean Lambert: In October 2005 Jean was named MEP 2005 for Justice and
Human Rights. Jean was first elected Green Party Member of the European Parliament
for London in the 1999 European elections. She was re-elected in 2004. She is
one of nine MEPs representing London and one of two UK Green representatives
in the European Parliament.