In March 2010, the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee of the European Parliament proposed a series of important amendments to the Directive.  These amendments were passed by the European Parliament in October 2010.  Disappointingly, the revised Directive was blocked in the Council of Ministers and has been returned to the European Commission for further consideration.

Maternity Action campaigned for the UK Government and UK MEPs to support the revised Directive.  We are very disappointed that the UK Government has actively opposed this.

The revised Directive offers families:

- 20 weeks of fully paid maternity leave
- 2 weeks fully paid paternity leave
- improved protection against unfair dismissal for pregnant women and new mothers
- paid breastfeeding breaks
- improved health and safety protection for pregnant and breastfeeding women
- extended leave for parents of premature babies

Find our more about the Directive by reading our briefing papers.