A package of measures "to find a better balance between professional and family life": this is the initiative that was launched today by the European Commission, which will now be submitted (joint decision procedure) to the EU Parliament and the EU Council. The "package" contains some proposals revising EU Directives and aiming to create a consistent situation in the 27 member states to improve maternity leave for employees, self-employed and temporary workers. The minimum leave will have to be set no longer at 14, but at 18 weeks, with the woman receiving 100% of her wages. The member states can set different limits, provided they are better than that. The available weeks may be used either before or after giving birth. A similar protection, on a volunteer basis, will be offered to women working as self-employed professionals or in family companies. "Measures against dismissal will be strengthened explained commissioner Vladimir Spidla and in addition the employer will have to make sure a woman who goes back to her job is placed in the same job or in an equivalent one".
