EESC Conference "Towards a better work-life balance"

Why Maternity Leave matters in the

context of reconciliation policies

European Women’s Lobby

Mary Collins Socio-economic policy officer 24 September 2014

The largest umbrella organisation of women’s associations in the EU, with more than 2000 member organisations:

Founded in 1990

The voice of European Women

31 National Co-ordinations

20 European-level member

organisations

The Paradox of a growth driven paradigm

…

Europe needs more women on the labour marketEurope also needs more women to have more children

BUT

Limited reconciliation policies and in particular restrictive Maternity Leave policies

Clear Distinction…

MATERNITY = pregnancy and childbirth

CARE = life long begins at birth

CARE = NOT A WOMEN’S ISSUE ONLY – Parental Leave /Paternity Leave / Carers Leave

Why MATERNITY LEAVE?

Concerns (potentially) all women Physicality of child birth – ‘labour’ Women perceived as a ‘risk’ Variable rights – conditionality ‘Liquid’ labour market Women’s mobility as workers

MATERNITY LEAVE..Current situation

Pay – discretion of Member States – complex E.g. Belgium varies 82%/75% (Full salary for public sector

employees but ceiling); Sweden – 80%; UK/Ireland – flat rate + possible ‘top-up’ can be taken away in times of crisis; Slovenia – had 100% reduced to 90% (crisis); Hungary/Czech Republic – 70%

Discriminatory Practices – prohibited but occur

E.g. increase in complaints to Equality Bodies (Netherlands) ‘blank dismissal’ letters prepared in advance

MATERNITY LEAVE..Life long consequences

PAY GAP 16 % – PENSION GAP 39%… two sides of same coin

MATERNITY AND CARE… alarm clock in women’s lives

22% older women – poverty/social exclusion (16,3% men)

..Gender equality a far-off

dream? 160 years

Draft maternity leave directive and now ?

2008 – Commission: amend Maternity Leave Directive2010 – European Parliament: adopted position 2011 – Council “the requested extension of the minimum

maternity leave to 20 weeks on full pay, did not constitute an appropriate basis for negotiations

2010- 2014 :Deadlock – negotiations stalled2014 – Commission proposes to withdraw Maternity Directive – in the name of “good legislative

management”

European Parliament Position (2010)

Applies to all contracts20 weeks, 6 compulsory, non

compulsory can be shared Full payProtection from dismissal/no obligation

to do night work/overtime

Return to equivalent posts (same pay, professional category and duties)

Additional leave: premature childbirth, children hospitalised, children/mother with disabilities and multiple births

Paternity - 2 weeks fully paid for life-partner “Passerelle clause“ (other family-related leave):

last 4 weeks might be less remunerated (75% salary) with ceilings in some MS.

European Parliament Resolution (2010)

Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme (REFIT)

•The Commission considers it good legislative management to withdraw proposals that do not advance in the legislative process, in order to allow for a fresh start or for alternative ways to achieve the intended legislative purpose. A close scrutiny of all pending proposals before the legislator has resulted in the identification of further proposals which are either outdated or without support by the legislator and should therefore be suggested for withdrawal. These include proposals on investor compensation schemes, aviation security

charges, pregnant workers, a compensation fund for oil pollution damage and exempting micro companies from certain food hygiene provisions, (…) (pg 10)

REFIT (2014)

“PHOTO BOOTH” gathering at the Esplanade, in front of the European Parliament, between 12:30-14:30 today

DELIVER NOW!We call on the new Commission, in particular Commissioners Jourova and Thyssen, to keep the Maternity Leave Directive on the agenda We call on the European Parliament to maintain its position, adopted by an overwhelming majority in 2010We call on the Council and the Member States to engage and move forward in negotiating with the European Parliament, to make their official position known, to support a robust Maternity Leave Directive to ensure that ALL women in Europe have equal rights

EWL says NO!

1. The EWL – who we are

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

For more information:www.womenlobby.org