Brussels, 30/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is due, on Wednesday 1 October, under the finalisation procedure, to adopt a package of measures promoting a balance between professional life and private and family life, and also a communication which seeks to encourage the active inclusion of those excluded from society and the labour market. Both the “family” package and the communication on active inclusion of excluded persons will be presented to press on Friday 3 October by Commissioner Vladimlir Spidla (not Thursday, since the commissioner will be attending the EPSCO Council in Luxembourg), the spokespersons' service said.
The Commission has already announced that the “family” package will contain: (1) a communication setting out strategies to allow men and women to better reconcile the conflicting demands of family and working life. This communication: - presents recent developments in the EU on balancing work and family life, including the launch of negotiations among the social partners on parental leave; - makes proposals for updating and strengthening the directives on: a) maternity leave (92/85/EEC): this proposal considers the length of maternity leave, the flexibility of arrangements on when maternity leave begins and on the amount of maternity benefit; b) self-employed persons (86/613/EEC): the aim is to increase the number of women who set up their own businesses in Europe and to help them to continue working no matter their family responsibilities; (2) a report on childcare services in member states. The availability of these services has a decisive effect on work-life balance and also increases the employment level of women. The report considers how well the 2002 Barcelona objectives are being met and identifies obstacles and challenges facing the development of preschool childcare facilities. The Barcelona summit set a target of 90% of children aged three until school age having childcare places and 33% for children under three. The Commission wants these targets on quality, affordable and accessible childcare services to be realised.
The communication promoting the active inclusion of persons excluded from society and the labour market sets out common principles and practical measures relating to an integrated strategy based on appropriate income support, labour markets which promote inclusion and access to quality services. (G.B./transl.rt)