Today marks the start of the conciliation process in Brussels over whether the UK can maintain an opt-out from the Working Time directive.

Currently the UK is one of 15 countries to opt out of the Working Time directive - meaning staff can work more than 48 hours per week, should they choose. But the European Parliament voted to remove the opt-out in December 2008.

David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "This issue has dragged on long enough and sends a poor message to the rest of the world about whether Europe is open for business.

"It would be extremely foolish to try and end the UK's opt-out especially during a painful recession. The opt-out provides the essential flexibility that many businesses and their employees are relying on to get through this downturn."