Eurochild: Eurochild welcomes European Parliament resolution on maternity leave
On 20 May the European Parliament (EP) adopted a resolution calling on the European Commission not to proceed with its plan to withdraw the draft EU directive on maternity leave.
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) reaffirmed their willingness to help break the four-year deadlock over the draft legislation in the European Union Council of Ministers, and called on the Commission to reconcile the positions of Parliament and the Council. In case the Commission withdraws its draft proposal, MEPs urge for a new legislative initiative to be presented before the end of the year.
Eurochild welcomes the EP initiative to close the maternity leave negotiation process. Increasing the length of the leave is beneficial not only for mother’s health needs but also the infant’s development. The maternity leave directive must furthermore be looked at in a broader context of leave policies encompassing a full range of provisions, including paternity and parental leave, leave to care for sick children and access to reduced working hours to accommodate breastfeeding. The best interest of the child must be a primary consideration when deciding on leave policies.
The provision of high quality, affordable and accessible early childhood services must also be considered in parallel to leave policies, including the provision of adequate facilities and professional assistance for child care and parenting and family support.
Read here Eurochild’s position paper on the amendment of the maternity leave directive in 2009.
