EU maternity pay plan blocked by the Member States
05:57
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Women would be entitled to 20 weeks paid maternity of blocked EU proposals.?Photo: PA
In these plans, mothers UK would be entitled to 20 weeks full pay compared to six weeks followed by wages 90pc statutory of ￡ 124.88 per week for 33 weeks. Although no formal vote, rejecting proposals yesterday, Ministers from all over Europe have expressed concern that they could not implement the proposals in their current form.
Edward Davey, the Minister for employment relations joined groups of British companies in lobbying against the proposals, who voted for, at a time where UK "may be least allow."
Belgian employment Minister Jo?lle Milquet, the country currently holds the rotating Presidency of the EU, stated after the proposals have been disseminated: "the vast majority of Member States consider that Parliament has gone too far by offering to extend to 20 weeks, paid - 100pc maternity leave is not a basis for negotiations".
Ministers have now wait three weeks for Belgium to develop a new plan, describing the areas of compromise by providing effective 2008 pregnant workers directive.
Kieran o ' O'Keeffe, head of European representation in the House of British trade, said: "discussion yesterday was satisfactory progress. But I would be reluctant to say we can forget about it and assume that nothing will happen. The Council wants [yet] trying to find an agreement. ?
However, Mr. o ' Keeffe said Ministers could "take" proposals "age", adding it no deadline set for which the directive should be translated into force.
A spokesman for the Institute of administration stated: "we are pleased that the United Kingdom and others have blocked this terrible proposal." 20 weeks pay compensation 100pc maternitée is not simply an affordable price. Taxpayers would have been landed with a bill of at least ￡ 2 5bn a year. "It would be wise [EC] now completely abandon the proposal.
In October, Britain has warned that the proposal for a five-month would be more than double its invoice of maternity leave, summing up to ￡ 2 taken annually.
Mr. Davey said: "we agreed that we must stop thinking before we identify how, or if, can reach an acceptable compromise." On the basis of the current proposals it is difficult to see how such a compromise is possible. ?
A spokesman for the Department for business said yesterday "stalled" EU proposals for EU Ministers. He added that the Government could publish a consultation in the coming weeks for the introduction of a new system of shared parental leave.
Britain has longer maternity leave the European Union to 52 weeks. German get 14 weeks 16 Belgian French women 15 weeks.
