Brussels, 21/10/2010
The ETUC has been demanding fully paid maternity leave for at least 18 weeks, without any ceiling at national level. The Parliament voted in favour of extending maternity leave to 20 weeks, but the remuneration for the last four weeks would vary according to national legislation.
The maternity protection dossier will now pass on into the hands of the Council and the ETUC urges the Belgian Presidency to deal with this issue as a matter of priority. “Working mothers in Europe have been waiting a long time for an improvement of European maternity leave protection. The Council must ensure that they have not waited in vain”, said John Monks.
21.10.2010
Press release