Articles
20 Week's Fully Paid Maternity Leave now Looks Unlikely
On 6th December 2010 the EU Employment Counsel considered the Pregnant Workers Directive which the European Parliament had approved. The most controversial proposal in the Directive was that increasing the minimum period of paid maternity leave from 14 to 20 weeks. It was also proposed to give fathers two weeks fully paid maternity leave.
The UK, France and Germany strongly oppose the change. The UK Government considered that providing women with fully paid maternity leave for 20 weeks would place an onerous cost burden on businesses and public funds. An interesting angle in the UK Government's position was that they regarded the legislation as "socially regressive" as high earning women would gain the greater benefit.
It now looks like the directive is "dead in the water". However, EU legislators may attempt to draw up compromise proposals which might prove acceptable to the EU Employment Counsel.
For more information on the above or for advice on any other employment issue please contact our employment department on 020 7354 3000 or e-mail employment@colmancoyle.com
Author Profile: David Malamatenios
Date published: 5th January 2011