WUNRN
European Women's Lobby - EWL
The European Commission May Withdraw the Maternity Leave Directive
The European Women’s Lobby cries scandal as the rhetoric on women’s rights and gender equality takes a blow
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The proposed Maternity Leave Directive was
adopted democratically by a large majority of the European Parliament in its
first reading on 20 October 2010. It has nonetheless been blocked by
“The threat to remove the Maternity Leave
Directive from the legislative process is serious and undermines the democratic
process of the European Parliament’s adopted position. This negates Europe’s
rhetoric on its commitment to gender equality and effective work-life balance
for women and men in
Women continue to earn 16% on average less than men and it is often at the moment of childbirth that the gender pay gap kicks in, with life- long often irreversible consequences, including the fact that women recieve on average 40% less pension than men. Despite existing laws that protect pregnant workers, we know that more and more women today are experiencing discrimination in the work place as a direct result of pregnancy and/or birth. This is why it is urgent to strengthen the rights and protection of women during pregnancy and on return to work. “It is unacceptable that measures to protect women’s rights are part of a trade-off to cut red tape : women’s rights are NOT red tape.” states Ms Maycock.
In an Open Letter to the newly designated President of the European Commission, the EWL calls on Mr Juncker to reject this proposal to withdraw the Maternity Leave Directive, immediately reinstate the proposal and to give his full commitment to reaching a decision with the Council. We expect the newly elected European Parliament will react strongly against this proposal and will work with the Italian Presidency towards achieving a favourable conclusion.
The Maternity leave Directive :
The proposed Maternity Leave Directive, adopted
democratically by a large majority of the European Parliament in
first reading on 20 October 2010, has been blocked by
The proposed Maternity Leave Directive is an all-encompassing set of proposals to strengthen the rights of pregnant workers and women returning to work following childbirth and/or who are breastfeeding. These include, up to 20 weeks fully paid leave, a mandatory six-week rest period before or after birth whenever they choose, extension of the same rights to domestic workers and adoptive mothers, specific measures for multiple births and disabilities, protection from dismissal for six months, protection from imposed night shifts and overtime and flexibility for breastfeeding mothers.
In addition, a two-week fully paid paternity leave provision is included in the European Parliament’s adopted position, which bridges the gap in relation to paternity leave (also available to same sex couples) as there is no European Directive on this form of leave. It should also be noted that a passerelle clause is included for countries where a strong parental leave framework is in place, which means that the reality of the situation in different countries is taken into account and that women who are pregnant, have given birth and/or who are breastfeeding have the same rights throughout the European Union.