EU: talks on the extension of maternity leave are at a dead end

No moving forward.  On October 20th, a large majority of MEPs voted in favor of the extension of maternity leave to 20 weeks (see our dispatch No.  100745), paid 100%, as well as 15 days of paternity leave under the same conditions.  On Friday, June 17th, during a meeting of the Council of EU Ministers, debates between the States showed that a majority refused to negotiate on this basis.  The UK, engaged in a large savings program, is the most vehement country as regards the financial impact of these measures.  On Friday, it said that the Council shouldn’t adopt a joint position on the subject.  Estonia and Slovenia also considered that the current legislation, which sets maternity leave to 14 weeks, didn’t need to be reviewed.  All in all, about 15 delegations, including France and Germany, refuse to move forward under the terms proposed by the European Parliament.
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ures. On Friday, it said that the Council shouldn’t adopt a joint position on the subject. Estonia and Slovenia also considered that the current legislation, which sets maternity leave to 14 weeks, didn’t need to be reviewed. All in all, about 15 delegations, including France and Germany, refuse to move forward under the terms proposed by the European Parliament.

Strategic mistake? Initially, the European Commission’s proposal to review Directive 92/85 planned going from 14 weeks of maternit

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