Moves to restrict workers’ hours to 48 hours a week have been dismissed as nonsense at a time of rising unemployment.

Kent business chiefs hit out at both the principle and the timing of the European Parliament’s vote to end the British opt-out of the Working Hours directive.

One called it misguided, another that it was unforgiveable.

If the Council of Ministers ratifies the decision, it will be illegal for employees to work more than 48 hours a week, even if they want to.

Roger House, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses in Kent and Medway, accused politicians of not understanding business and said they should not interfere in something they did not understand.

"What worries me is that a group of supposedly reasonable people have made that decision," he said. "I’m incredulous."

The vote came as the number of people out of work and claiming jobseekers’ allowance went above a million for the first time in eight years, with an increase of 2,300 in Kent and Medway.

Mr House questioned how the regulation would be policed and feared that businesses would be asked to fill in yet more forms.

"How would they find out if anyone had done 49 or 50 hours? Are we going to have to keep something like a lorry tachometer for our staff? Are they going to tell me that after 48 hours, I’m not allowed to run my business. It’s a piece of utter nonsense."

He sympathised with the GMB which backs the measure and claims it will save lives. The trade union cited the names of members killed after being forced to work excessive hours.

"The unions have a good point but I would have thought you would take each part of the economy as a case on its own. If there is a problem, that should be covered by normal health and safety regulations not a broad sweeping 48 hours across the board for everyone. It’s unforgiveable.

"People are getting really twitchy about employment and if you are going to make a decision to employ somebody, it really has to be justified.

"It’s going to add to your costs, it will slow things down, or people are going to break the law. Its ludicrous timing. To restrict small business and its flexibility is absolute nonsense."

The CBI, the employers’ organisation, was equally scathing. Malcolm Hyde, south east regional director based in Sevenoaks said: "The vote is misguided and it is a mistake to take away choice from people who may choose to work more than 48 hours a week.

"In the current downturn we have all seen examples of job losses and a family might depend on one parent being able to work extra hours if the other loses their job. Nowhere is immune and especially not the South East.

"Others may want to work longer hours, in professions ranging from manufacturing to medical research. They do so to further their careers or earn extra money, or to help their firm through difficulties and they should be able to do so if they choose.

"We hope the Council of Ministers stands firm against these amendments and backs the compromise agreed in June in which the opt-out was retained."