THOUSANDS of workers could see their earnings fall as a result of new legislation that would limit the working week to 48 hours, according to the leader of the Progressive Democrats, Ms Mary Harney.

She told the Tallaght Chamber of Commerce yesterday that the PDs would oppose the Working Time Bill when it was presented to the Dail. The Bill would make it illegal for most people to work more than 48 hours a week.

About 6 per cent of the workforce, including transport workers, seafarers and junior hospital doctors are excluded.

The Bill could curb the earnings of many workers, Ms Harney said and leave workers on modest rates of pay much worse off. The end result would be to encourage some companies to operate in the black economy.

"Nobody should be required to work more than 48 hours a week, but those individuals who wish to do so to boost their earnings should be excluded from the terms of the legislation", she said. She criticised the Government for failing to avail of derogations allowed under the EU directive, such as the facility for individual workers to opt out of the working time limit.

"There is flexibility in the EU directive but, unfortunately, the Government seems determined to adopt a heavy handed approach. This is basically telling workers that, whether they like it or not, they must comply with the 48 hour week", she said.

The PD leader is echoing criticism of the Bill first made by the Irish Business and Employers Confederation last Monday. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has supported the Bill and advised the Minister of State for Labour Affairs, Ms Eithne Fitzgerald, to ignore "whingeing" by employer bodies.