Work-life balance: Parliament prepares for negotiations with Council

“The position on the Work-Life Balance Directive adopted today is strong and balanced. I am confident that this forms a solid basis for entering into negotiations with the Council in September”, declared David Casa MEP, Parliament’s Spokesman on the issue, following the adoption of the Report, and the successful vote on the mandate today in the European Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee.

“A better work-life balance for workers increases productivity, decreases the uptake of sick leave and should close the gender pay and pension gap. This legislation, which is a priority for the EPP Group, will concretely improve the lives of EU of citizens and will also be good for business”, explained David Casa.

The text adopted today aims at introducing 10 days of paternity leave to be taken upon the birth of a child and paid to at least 78% of the worker's gross salary, four months of non-transferable parental leave to be taken until the child is at least ten years old, 5 days of annual carer’s leave, and the right for parents to request flexible working arrangements.

“I have also focused my work on introducing measures that will safeguard SMEs and micro enterprises in particular. I have removed administrative burdens and provided more flexibility for employers to take measures to protect the proper functioning of their business”, said Casa.

For Agnieszka Kozłowska-Rajewicz MEP, the lead negotiator on the Directive in the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee: “This text shows that we in the EPP Group are committed to defending women’s and carers’ rights. We will stay united before the Council and the Commission during the negotiations to ensure that we give both mothers and fathers the opportunity to have equal rights to take care of their children and to pursue their professional careers.”

Following the announcement of the vote on the mandate in the plenary in September, David Casa MEP will assume the role of European Parliament lead negotiator in discussions with the Council and Commission.