05/08/2010 (Agence Europe) - A new European directive strengthening the social protection of self-employed workers and their assisting spouses took effect on Wednesday 4 August. Member states have two years until 5 August 2012 in which to adopt texts allowing compliance with these new rules. Self-employed workers make up 16% of the active population of Europe, i.e. over 32 million people. Some 10% of these are assisted by their spouses or partners, who work on an informal basis. The new directive, which is intended to ensure equal treatment for both men and women who are self-employed, gives assisting spouses social protection as well as maternity leave (see EUROPE 10093). (B.C./transl.jl)