The MSF union's Roger Lyons: "This will increase stress"

Ministers want to relax the Working Time Directive, which says people should not work more than 48 hours each week.

They believe people who want to work longer, such as senior managers, must be able to do so, and are proposing an amendment making an exception for them.

The government says the form-filling should also be simplified.

But unions, who celebrated the introduction of the working time regulations, say the change will be a step backwards.

"Good for businesses and employees": Stephen Byers

Roger Lyons of the Manufacturing, Science and Finance Union, said at least a million white collar workers would come under pressure to work excessive hours, damaging their health.

He said: "It's not family-friendly, they will suffer stress and it will lead to domestic violence. This amendment, quite frankly, is completely counter to the principles of the regulations."

Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers said the proposed amendments would relieve "significant" administrative burdens on employers without removing the protection the directive gives to workers.

Unions say easing the rules will lead to more stress

The first amendment would give more flexibility for workers who determine their own hours, said Mr Byers. If they voluntarily work hours above their contract, these will not count towards the limit of 48.

The second proposal is that detailed record-keeping of hours of workers who opt out of the regulations is unnecessary.

Employers welcomed the announcement which they said would bring "sighs of relief" across the country.

John Gridland: Workers' rights will not be affected

John Gridland, Director of Human Resources Policy at the CBI, told the BBC that workers would not be forced to work more than 48 hours a week, but that protection of rest breaks, paid holiday and night working would remain.