Pearle Conference Frankfurt, 19-20 November 2010

Agenda point 16

EU employment and social affairs policy

Initiatives

Working time directive Maternity leave directive Initiative on Pensions Extending Social Security to Non-EU-

Nationals Single Application for a Single Permit Seasonal workers directive Issues raised by members

Questions

What is it about? What is the legislative process and the state

of play? Which issues at stake? Next steps? Actions to take?

Working time directive

Maternity leave directive

Commission’s proposal: 2008 - extension of the leave period from 14 to 18 weeks

Impact Assessment EP – May 2010 Vote in Parliament (FEMM committee report) – 19 October 2010

Main changes Extension of the term: from 14 to 20 weeks Full pay – but if a family-related leave is available, the last 4

weeks will be 75% of salary and counted as maternity leave Six weeks compulsory to be taken after childbirth Paternity leave introduced: two weeks full pay within

maternity leave period

Maternity leave directive

No dismissal of pregnant women (beginning of pregnancy until 6 months after end of maternity leave)

Women entitled to return to their jobs or equivalent posts No night work or overtime 10 weeks before childbirth, in

case of health problems, during breastfeeding period

This is not the final text!

Still significant opposition from employers

Next step: Text goes to Council of Ministers Pearle Actions: Letters to political groups in the Parliament to

support Eurobusiness lobbying

Members to get in contact with their national ministries

Initiative on Pensions

Extending Social Security to Non-EU-Nationals

Single Application for a Single Permit

Seasonal workers directive