Pearle Conference Frankfurt, November 2010 Agenda point 16 EU employment and social affairs policy

Initiatives Working time directive Maternity leave directive Initiative on Pensions Extending Social Security to Non-EU- Nationals Single Application for a Single Permit Seasonal workers directive Issues raised by members

Questions What is it about? What is the legislative process and the state of play? Which issues at stake? Next steps? Actions to take?

Working time directive

Maternity leave directive Commission’s proposal: extension of the leave period from 14 to 18 weeks Impact Assessment EP – May 2010 Vote in Parliament (FEMM committee report) – 19 October 2010 Main changes  Extension of the term: from 14 to 20 weeks  Full pay – but if a family-related leave is available, the last 4 weeks will be 75% of salary and counted as maternity leave  Six weeks compulsory to be taken after childbirth  Paternity leave introduced: two weeks full pay within maternity leave period

Maternity leave directive  No dismissal of pregnant women (beginning of pregnancy until 6 months after end of maternity leave)  Women entitled to return to their jobs or equivalent posts  No night work or overtime 10 weeks before childbirth, in case of health problems, during breastfeeding period This is not the final text! Still significant opposition from employers Next step: Text goes to Council of Ministers Pearle Actions: Letters to political groups in the Parliament to support Eurobusiness lobbying Members to get in contact with their national ministries

Initiative on Pensions

Extending Social Security to Non-EU-Nationals

Single Application for a Single Permit

Seasonal workers directive