In Praise of Long Hours

The EU’s Working Time Directive, passed in 1993 as a health and safety measure, caps the workweek at 48 hours. Most of the EU’s 25 members signed on to it, but the U.K. and Malta have always exercised the option to opt out. Many members, however-and particularly France-say the opt-out option gives those countries an unfair advantage. They want it eliminated-and are proposing legislation to do just that.

“People in the UK are willing to work harder and are thus doing better then us? Well, we can’t have that. Don’t let them work so much!” How do people even come to think this way?

No wonder European economies are barely holding together. Their first answer to any competitive problem is to make the other guy worse instead of making themselves better.

Hat tip: The Locker Room

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