Brussels, 13/07/2000 (Agence Europe) - By adopting a report by Portuguese Socialist Elisa Maria Damiao, with 200 in favour, 27 against and 4 abstentions, on the directive on the safety and health of pregnant workers, the European Parliament calls on the Commission to submit a proposal by end 2000 to amend Directive 92/85/EEC, and to include in it improvements in the measures aimed at protecting the health and safety of pregnant women as well as those who have just given birth or are breast-feeding. This new directive should, notably comprise the following substantial measures:
The right to maternity leave extended to 20 weeks, with a compulsory rest period of eight weeks after having given birth, as long as this provision is not already included in national legislation; maternity leave should be extended for multiple births;
An extension of the duration of maternity leave as long as necessary in case of pregnancy through a declaration and medical examination, without prejudicing the minimum compulsory period of eight weeks after having given birth.;
A more precise definition of adequate remuneration during maternity leave, which should be at least 80% of the previous salary and serve for the constitution of pension rights;
A formal ban on making anyone redundant during pregnancy or maternity leave, together with more effective penalties in case of infringement against anyone contravening the ban, with special attention being paid to women with fixed-term or atypical contracts, and the obligation to reintegrate a woman into her job or equivalent at the end of the maternity leave.
The EP calls on the Commission to grant more importance to resources that Member States allocate to the creation of a greater number of inspectors responsible for controlling the practical and concrete application of directives relating to health and safety at work. It urges the Commission and social partners, in the framework of their discussions relating to future legislation on atypical work, notably tele-work and work from home, to grant special attention to the additional risks pregnant women or those having just given birth are exposed to.