European Social Partners revise the parental leave agreement
June 2009
The new agreement, signed on 18 June 2009, increases by one month the length of parental leave
European Social Partners have signed on 18 June 2009, in presence of Vladimír Špidla, EU commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, a new Framework Agreement on Family Leave which increases by one month the length of parental leave.
A better work-life balance: stronger support for reconciling professional, private and family life
October 2008
On the 3rd of October, the European Commission has proposed a package of measures to improve work-life balance for all European citizens, both women and men.
The mains goals are:
- To improve conditions for maternity leave. This proposal would increase the minimum period of leave from 14 to 18 weeks, with a recommendation to pay women 100% of their salary and a strengthened protection against dismissal.
- To strengthen social protection measures for self-employed women. They will have equivalent access to maternity leave as for employees, but on a voluntary basis.
- To achieve better and more child care: the objective is to provide childcare for at least 90% of children between the age of three and at least 33% of those under three by 2010.