European Parliament proposes 20-week maternity leave

 

MEPs in Brussels have today ruled in favour of extending minimum maternity leave from 14 to 20 weeks, which they must now take to the individual member governments, who will understandably be reluctant to implement the suggested the change.

After much debate it was decided to increase the initial suggestion of 18 weeks, but to be less than the 24-week period proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Many Countries are expected to oppose the proposal, with certain countries like Britain and Germany particularly opposing the extension of maternity leave and associated costs to their economies.

The change also calls for mothers to be paid their salary for the full 20 week leave, which would be a radical change for some Member States, some of which currently only guarantee a percentage of the salary.

In Spain, mothers are currently entitled to 16 weeks leave on full pay, with the first six being mandatory, while the rest are transferable to the spouse.