Memo: Paid Maternity Leave: European Commission to work on balanced compromise to advance mothers’ rights, following European Parliament vote

In a first reading on 20 October 2010, the European Parliament voted on the European Commission's proposal to reform the 1992 Maternity Leave Directive (Directive 92/85/EEC). The Commission had proposed an increase in the minimum period of maternity leave from 14 to 18 weeks and to pay women 100% of their salary during maternity leave, giving Member States the option to set a ceiling at the level of sick pay. The European Parliament wants to give women full pay for 20 weeks of maternity leave and to introduce two weeks of fully paid paternity leave. This goes beyond the Commission’s proposal. The next step is for the Council of Ministers (which represents the interests of the 27 EU Member States) to take a position in first reading on the Commission’s proposal.