Press Release:European Commission steps up legal action against Estonia on parental leave

The European Commission sent on 18 march 2010 Estonia a reasoned opinion – the final stage before a case is referred to the European Court of Justice – for incorrectly implementing the Parental Leave Directive (96/34/EC). The Directive aims to improve the work-life balance and provides for the individual right of workers – men and women – to parental leave of at least three months for the birth or adoption of a child. A new Directive, adopted on 8 March 2010, will increase the period to four months (IP/09/1854). Member States will have two years to bring their national laws into line with the new Directive. The points raised in today's reasoned opinion against Estonia are not affected by the new Directive