MEPs back extension of maternity leave across the EU
Posted, April 14, 2009 @ 10:00
EU should not meddle in maternity policy, say Conservatives
Brussels, 31st March 2009 -- Plans for an EU-wide extension of maternity leave to 18 weeks on full pay - approved by a majority in the European Parliament's employment committee today - will damage the employment prospects of young women and harm small businesses especially in the weaker EU economies, Philip Bushill-Matthews MEP, Conservative employment spokesman in Brussels, has warned.
In the UK, 52 weeks of maternity leave are offered: 39 of which are paid at a rate of 90 per cent of the mother's average pay for six weeks, followed by 33 weeks on a fixed sum of Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP).
The new plans would require at least 18 weeks to be taken on full pay - raising fears that the UK may have to reduce the overall amount of leave available to ensure businesses can shoulder the extra burden. The parliament vote also says that the leave must include a period of time taken six weeks after birth.
Conservative proposals for more flexible parental leave would grant new parents 52 weeks of leave after the birth which they could divide between them as they see fit.
After the vote, Mr Bushill-Matthews, said:
"The EU should not be dictating to British mothers and fathers how much leave they must take.
"Britain needs more flexible maternity and paternity rules but forcing all employers to pay 18 weeks leave at full pay could force a reduction in the overall amount of time new parents can take leave for.
"Many small businesses already employ younger women with trepidation at the extra costs they could face if she becomes pregnant. Most businesses will be watching their bottom line closely right now and all this new law will achieve is the likelihood of greater unemployment of women of child-bearing age.
"This is just another example of how over prescriptive one-size-fits-all EU employment legislation can promote unemployment, especially amongst the most vulnerable in our society."