European Parliament votes for more equality between women and men and a more sustainable future

Published by S. Mally, October 2010, Barcelona (Spain)

The European Parliament passed a Resolution in favour of increasing European minimum standards for maternity and paternity leave provisions. Among other measures, the Parliament approved an increase of maternity leave provisions from 14 weeks to 20 weeks and the introduction of two weeks leave for new fathers, both fully paid. According to this Resolution, fathers are provided with two weeks non-transferable leave at full pay. The first six weeks of maternity leave are also non-transferable, but a couple can request to share the remaining 14 weeks.

Currently in Europe, women’s employment rates drop by more than 12% when they have children. The OECD found in 2006 that in countries where the maternity leave provisions are longest, female employment rates were also highest.

In a time of widespread concern about Europe’s ageing population and the costs of pensions, increasing women’s participation in the labour market as well as birth-rates has become paramount to economic sustainability.