The Green Party has welcomed proposals by the European Commission to improve maternity leave conditions for millions of women across Europe. In a package of proposals announced at the weekend, the Commission proposes to extend minimum paid maternity leave to 18 weeks, introduce 100 per cent pay and ensure stronger protection against dismissal and a right to return to the same job after maternity leave.
Green Party spokesperson on European Affairs Senator Deirdre de Burca said: “Longer maternity protection has positive impacts on the health of the mother and child and this is a huge step forward by the Commission. I welcome the proposals to ensure proper financial protection for women at what can be a very stressful time both emotionally and financially.
“The new proposals also state that those on maternity leave must be guaranteed an equally favourable position on return to work and be entitled to the same improvements in working conditions that they would have been if in post.”
Senator de Burca says the changes follow recommendations put forward by the International Labour Organisation.
“These recommendations come under two legal frameworks – the Directive on Health and Safety, and the application of the principle of equal opportunities. Recent research has found that some employers do deliberately discriminate against women on maternity leave when it comes to increasing their pay and awarding benefits. These new amendments should help to protect women from such treatment. It’s essential that women are able to break from their careers, confident in the knowledge that they will not lose out in the workplace.”
“This proposal improves the minimum standards, but pregnant workers still need better legal protection. Entitlement to paid parental leave also needs to be introduced to help men and women who want to share responsibility for caring for their children. In Sweden, a year of parental leave is offered at full pay, which can be transferred to the father.”
The proposals will be discussed by the European Parliament and member states and it is hoped that agreement will be reached during 2009. EU countries will have two years following agreement to implement the changes. Under current laws in Ireland, women are entitled to take 26 weeks maternity leave, with an option of 16 weeks extra unpaid leave. Entitlements depend on employment contracts and employers are not obliged to pay women on maternity leave.
Filed under:
Health and Children, Press Release by Deirdre
