BUSINESSEUROPE, UEAPME and CEEP addressing the PL PRES on maternity leave directive

European employers´ and business community are continuing their battle against the maternity directive revision in the spirit of the European Parliament report and proposals

The European employers representing both private sphere (BUSINESSEUROPE)and small and medium companies (UEAPME) and public sphere (CEEP) sent on 2 September a joint letter to the Polish  Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Ms Jolanta Fedak, in the context of the Council discussions on the proposal for a revised directive on pregnant and breastfeeding workers. This is following the request to the European Social Partners from the Belgian Presidency, followed-up by the Hungarian Presidency, on behalf ofthe Employment and Social Affairs Council, to provide an analysis of certain aspects of the European Parliament’s report on the proposal for a revised directive. ETUC have provided a separate analysis.

The European employers are strongly against extending of maternity leave to 20 weeks. Putting overly restrictive and costly conditions on enterprises concerning maternity leave will harm women’s employment opportunities and employability.

Moreover the maternity leave at full pay would be unaffordable for enterprises and member states. It does indicate that 20 weeks maternity leave at full pay would cost each year 1.3bn euro in the UK and 1.4bn euro in France. In times of economic recovery it would not be possible to take on such costs.

To read more: Joint letter of BUSINESSEUROPE, UEAPME and CEEP

Vladimíra Drbalová

International Organisations and EU