THE Lord's Day Observance Society has expressed concern over the concession given in the European Court of Justice's ruling that Britain must implement the 48-hour week which makes provision for one rest day a week, not necessarily Sunday.

This ruling annuls a provision inserted in the original proposals at Germany's request, that Sunday be set as a rest day throughout Europe and, more alarmingly, removes from any worker the right to 'rest' from his employment on the Lord's Day.

While believing that every worker should have the right to say "No" to excessive working hours, the Lord's Day Observance Society also believes that every worker should have the right to say 'No' to Sunday working.

Once again, family life is being squeezed intolerably by legislation. Under this ruling, the employee can be instructed to work on a Sunday, the one day of the week when the family is most likely to be together.

Working members of the Christian Church will find it more difficult to attend their place of worship on the Lord's Day. The potential for spiritual damage to the individuals concerned and ultimately to our nation as a whole is incalculable.

JOHN ROBERTS, General Secretary, The Lord's Day Observance Society.

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