On March 18, the Member States of the European Union refused to set up a joint working group with the European parliament to unblock the ‘Maternity leave’ Directive that has been sitting on the legislative sidelines for seven years. Although the Socialist Democratic group had somewhat relaxed their positions in recent months, this refusal in principle buries the draft directive that had proposed an extension in maternity leave from 14 to 18 weeks.
Despite the Latvian Presidency’s best efforts in calling for a last ditch meeting on March 18 with the Council Members to entreat them to engage with the European parliament on the beleaguered ‘Maternity Leave’ draft directive no grounds appeared possible to broker a deal. The Parliamentary Socialist and Democratic group (S&D) asked the Latvian Presidency to suggest that the Member States set up a joint working group so as to break the seven-year deadlock. The European Council rejected the requ
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