Knowledge Centre
7th December 2010
Euro ministers have rejected proposals by MEPs to extend maternity leave to 20 weeks on full pay, up from 14 weeks.
The move came yesterday, as the Council of Ministers for Employment and Social Affairs held its first debate since the close-fought October vote by the European Parliament in favour of the controversial 'maternity leave' directive.
However, a "large majority" of ministers considered that the proposals went too far, while suggesting that original proposals extending paid leave to 18 weeks would be a compromise.
Under UK law, new mothers are entitled to 12 months off work, with the first six weeks on 90% of pay, followed by 33 weeks at a standard rate of just under £125 each week.
The Government says that this system means that the lowest-paid workers receive the highest proportion of their usual remuneration. It says it is committed to "a new system of shared parental leave," with all employees able to request flexible working arrangements.
Minister for Employment Relations, Ed Davey travelled to the Brussels meeting to present the UK Government's position that a move to 20 weeks would be too expensive at a time when many European economies are struggling. According to estimates quoted by the Government, implementing the full 20 weeks of maternity leave would cost the UK in excess of £2 billion each year.
Speaking before the meeting, Mr Davey said: "The proposals put forward by Euro MPs would be extremely costly to business and also to the public purse.
"They are also socially regressive - the greatest benefits would be obtained by those earning the most - and the rigid model being proposed would make it hard for countries to develop systems of shared parental leave which would offer better support to working parents.
"Minimum standards across Europe are important, but countries also need the flexibility to put in place arrangements that work for them in their own individual circumstances."
Meanwhile, UK business groups had expressed their concerns over the proposals ahead of the meeting.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) argued that the total cost to the economy would be higher - some £2.5 billion each year - with an extension of maternity leave to 20 weeks costing an extra £7,000 per employee.
The FSB's EU and international affairs chair Tina Sommer said: "In the present economic climate we should be making it easier for people to gain employment, not placing obstacles in their way."
However, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said that the Government should not be "looking for new ways to impoverish parents".
"Rather than pandering to the same old carping from businesses who have opposed every extension of parental leave and pay, the Government should consider the needs of parents and their babies, who have suffered enough from tax and benefit cuts and need all the help they can get to pay for childcare," he added.
IMAGE by Anna Clarén/Scanpix/Press Association Images
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Euro ministers reject 20-week maternity leave
The move came yesterday, as the Council of Ministers for Employment and Social Affairs held its first debate since the close-fought October vote by the European Parliament in favour of the controversial 'maternity leave' directive.
However, a "large majority" of ministers considered that the proposals went too far, while suggesting that original proposals extending paid leave to 18 weeks would be a compromise.
Under UK law, new mothers are entitled to 12 months off work, with the first six weeks on 90% of pay, followed by 33 weeks at a standard rate of just under £125 each week.
The Government says that this system means that the lowest-paid workers receive the highest proportion of their usual remuneration. It says it is committed to "a new system of shared parental leave," with all employees able to request flexible working arrangements.
Minister for Employment Relations, Ed Davey travelled to the Brussels meeting to present the UK Government's position that a move to 20 weeks would be too expensive at a time when many European economies are struggling. According to estimates quoted by the Government, implementing the full 20 weeks of maternity leave would cost the UK in excess of £2 billion each year.
Speaking before the meeting, Mr Davey said: "The proposals put forward by Euro MPs would be extremely costly to business and also to the public purse.
"They are also socially regressive - the greatest benefits would be obtained by those earning the most - and the rigid model being proposed would make it hard for countries to develop systems of shared parental leave which would offer better support to working parents.
"Minimum standards across Europe are important, but countries also need the flexibility to put in place arrangements that work for them in their own individual circumstances."
Meanwhile, UK business groups had expressed their concerns over the proposals ahead of the meeting.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) argued that the total cost to the economy would be higher - some £2.5 billion each year - with an extension of maternity leave to 20 weeks costing an extra £7,000 per employee.
The FSB's EU and international affairs chair Tina Sommer said: "In the present economic climate we should be making it easier for people to gain employment, not placing obstacles in their way."
However, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said that the Government should not be "looking for new ways to impoverish parents".
"Rather than pandering to the same old carping from businesses who have opposed every extension of parental leave and pay, the Government should consider the needs of parents and their babies, who have suffered enough from tax and benefit cuts and need all the help they can get to pay for childcare," he added.
IMAGE by Anna Clarén/Scanpix/Press Association Images
For a fair proposal, let More Th>n insurance protect your business. Ask us for a cheap shop insurance quote today, or find out about our great value van insurance.
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