EU backs maternity on full pay
03:33
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The truth is that if a woman wishes to become pregnant, she can. Photo: ALAMY
Employers could be faced with a Bill. 5bn ￡ 2 after the European Parliament voted to require corporations to paid maternity leave to 20 weeks full pay.
The proposed changes, which also introduce two weeks fully paid leave for fathers, could lead companies farther turning female job hunters, warned lawyers.
The United Kingdom workers receive up to their weekly earnings average for the first six weeks of leave, followed by statutory ￡ 123 per week for weeks of 33.Hommes 90pc receive up to one to two weeks of paternity, paid a minimum of ￡ 124 per week.
The European Commission first proposed amendments to the pregnant workers directive in 2008 to gather the minimum leave available for 14 weeks to 18 weeks in Europe, but remains a largely free to decide how many women pay receive United Kingdom états.Le member argued that the changes were unnecessary and expensive.
Yesterday the MEPs voted an overwhelming to make reforms more despite also present a report on costs, which shows that the UK would be affected by an act of. 5bn ￡ 2 extra.
Portuguese Socialist Edite Estérel, MP who led tougher calls to a regime of maternity leave said costs were "minimal", emphasizes: "It's a great day for new parents and the good news for our economic future in Europe."
However, Allen & Overy job & benefits lawyer Sarah Henchoz said if the changes took place women may be more difficult to find work.
She said: "these proposals could lead to companies employing deliberately not women in childbearing years."
Tina Sommer, the Federation of small businesses, said: "small businesses are known to employers flexible but these proposals EU cost small businesses an extra ￡ 7,000, so we are deeply concerned."
