Brussels, 07/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament wants to make it compulsory for assisting spouses to have social security cover. It is keen to strengthen the maternity leave rights of self-employed women and assisting spouses. MEPs insisted on these points when they adopted, on Wednesday 6 May in Strasbourg, at first reading, the report by Astrid Lulling (EPP-ED, Luxembourg) on equal treatment between men and women who are self-employed. The report was adopted by 552 votes to 14 and 57 abstentions.
Speaking to the press, Astrid Lulling said she was very pleased with the result of the vote. She was particularly pleased by the adoption of her most important amendment on Article 6 of the directive, providing for spouses and life partners recognised under national law to have compulsory social security coverage (amendment 14). A number of amendments introduced by the ALDE were also voted through but “do not cause much damage”, she said. Ms Lulling went on to say that, because they were in co-decision, it is important for her to have a few provisions on which she can give way, as she will do quite willingly once they begin discussions on these amendments with a view to the second reading.
Edite Estrela report on maternity leave referred back to parliamentary committee.
At a proposal by Ms Lulling, the European Parliament decided to refer back to committee the report by Edite Estrela (PES, Portugal) on the health and safety of women at work. This was at the request of the EPP-EDW Group, which stressed there would be no agreement at first reading with the Council and that the positions within the EP were too different. The decision was adopted by 347 votes to 256 and 10 abstentions.
Astrid Lulling explained that the very large number of amendments to the report, often concerning points outside the scope of the directive (parental leave and paternity leave for example, while the directive specifically concerns the health of pregnant or breast-feeding women) and sometimes in contradiction with each other, made the report necessary in order to be able to draft a text ensuring real protection of maternity and children. The report, moreover, would not cause delays in the adoption of the new directive, Astrid Lulling said, adding that Ms Estrela had herself noted in plenary that this new legislation was not to be applied before 2010 at the earliest.
Ms Lulling pointed out, moreover, that European social partners are currently negotiating updating of the directive on parental leave and are taking paternity leave into consideration. During the sitting on Monday 4 May, Commissioner Vladimir Spidla, said one should wait for the proposals from social partners on such matters, “which do not have their place in the directive”. Finally, Ms Lulling pointed out that the EPP-ED had submitted an amendment for the plenary providing for 16-week maternity leave, with a further 4 weeks in specific circumstances (breast-feeding, premature births, multiple births), which brings the leave to a total of 20 weeks.
In his plenary speech, Vladimir Spidla pointed out that the Commission would reject amendments relating to paternity leave. Edite Estrela was highly critical of this reflection, saying: “I do not agree, Mr Spidla. You are a conservative who is not in touch with reality! How can the Commission be so blind? I do not agree with your ideas! Maternity and paternity leave are values that determine our society and must be defended. It is in our children's interest!” For Astrid Lulling's report, see EUROPE 9879, and for Edite Estrela's report, see EUROPE 9883. (G.B./transl.jl)