Welcoming today's vote on maternity leave as a "boost for mothers and fathers across Europe", Portuguese GUE/NGL MEP Ilda Figueiredo said that MEPs' approval of proposals to guarantee decent maternity leave would support pregnant workers and aid efforts to narrow the gender pay gap.

"In recognition of the social, economic and health benefits of decent maternity leave with full pay, the European Parliament has shot down shameful right-wing attempts to damage the notion of maternity and paternity as fundamental social values". Today, Parliament backed the extension of maternity leave to 20 weeks with full pay and paternity leave of two weeks.

"Full maternity leave pay is necessary to make sure that all can benefit. In the context of crisis, today's vote for 100% pay is good news for women."

"We will keep fighting to defend the rights of women and children and hope the Council accepts Parliament's position" Figueiredo concluded.
 

GUE/NGL PRESS CONTACTS:
David Lundy + 32 485 50 58 12
Gianfranco Battistini + 32 475 64 66 28
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
Sonja Giese + 32 486 94 50 21
www.guengl.eu
Gauche Unitaire Européenne/Nordic Green Left
European Parliamentary Group