Two Years Overdue – No time to waste in approving new EU maternity leave legislation

Published: Thursday, February 14, 2013

Two years ago the European Parliament with the help of European Women's Lobby (EWL) members adopted its position on amending the Maternity Leave Directive. The amended Directive would allow for 20 weeks full pay maternity leave, with a so-called 'passerelle clause' to combine maternity and parental leave for countries that already have this system in place. In addition, 2 weeks fully paid paternity leave was also agreed in the European Parliament's proposal and a protection clause which provides for mothers' and fathers' protection up to 6 months on return to their workplace.

The proposal was to be discussed and negotiated by the Council of Ministers in order for it to make its way towards the adoption of a maternity leave directive that meets the needs of women in Europe. However, this has not happened and the European parliament position along with the maternity leave directive have been stuck in the system since October 2010.

It is time for action! The EWL is calling on you to exert pressure on the Irish government and the Irish Presidency to put the maternity proposal back on the agenda so that an agreement can be reached before the end of the Irish Presidency term (end of June 2013). The EWL have produced postcards addressed to Taoiseach Enda Kenny calling on him to unblock the negotiations and to facilitate the adoption of the Maternity Leave Directive and to ensure full pay during maternity leave and protection from discrimination on return to work. Please contact Mary Collins EWL (Collins@womenlobby.org) if you would like to receive postcards and for further information.

Further information on this campaign can be found on the European Women's Lobby website.