Partner Article

No agreement yet on Pregnant Workers Directive

The Employment Minister has taken the UK Governments lobby on the pregnant workers directive to Europe.

Chris Grayling will reiterate the UK governments opposition to measures proposed by MEP’s to offer mothers 20 weeks of maternity leave at full pay.

The government believes that this will result in excessive costs for member states recovering from the recession, and will only benefit those individuals who earn the most.

Employment Relations Minister Edward Davey said: “As I have repeatedly made clear, what MEPs have tabled is not the right solution. Minimum standards are important but it should be down to the individual Member States to adopt their own model – not for Europe to dictate this.”

It is estimated that the proposals put forward by the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality and Employment Committee would cost the UK alone more than £2 billion per year.

However, as 14 states have already expressed their concerns. Talks can go no further until MP’s agree on a common position.

Edward Davey went on to say: “The fact that so many other Member States have echoed our worries sends a clear message that this one-size-fits-all measure is not in the best interests for Europe and certainly not in the best interests for the UK.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .