Press Release: Longer parental leave and incentives for fathers agreed by EU ministers

Parents will have the right to longer parental leave, under new rules agreed by EU ministers on 30 November 2009. The revised Directive on Parental Leave will give each working parent the right to at least four months leave after the birth or adoption of a child (up from three months). At least one of the four months cannot be transferred to the other parent – meaning it will be lost if not taken – offering incentives to fathers to take the leave. The new Directive also provides for better protection against discrimination and a smoother return to work. It puts into effect an agreement between European employers and trade union organisations.