EU stalemate on working time rules deemed 'irreconcilable'

The EU remains divided on the rules setting ceilings for working hours due to health and safety concerns.

"I don't see chances for compromise" in the future, said Austrian economy minister Martin Bartenstein, who chaired ministerial talks in Luxembourg which dragged on past midnight on Thursday (1 June).

The Austrian presidency earlier pledged to break the stalemate on the contentious issue, following failed attempts by three previous EU presidencies in a row.

Under the cur...