EC increases maternity leave to 14 weeks

LUXEMBOURG - Thousands of British women will be better off after a formal decision reached yesterday by European finanace ministers, awarding all pregnant women in work at least 14 weeks' paid maternity leave irrespective of how long they have been in a job, writes Sarah Lambert.

Previous arrangements provided for 6 weeks at 90 per cent of salary and 12 weeks at pounds 46.30. But to qualify a woman had to have held her job for two years - five if she was a part-time worker.

The new legislation offers a minimum of 14 weeks' leave at a rate at least as generous as sick pay - that is, between pounds 45.30 and pounds 52.50 depending on income. The new law was watered down in negotiation and now sets only minimal standards where it once proposed a minimum 14 weeks' maternity leave on full pay. As maternity pay is more generous elsewhere in the EC, Britain is the only country that will really benefit from the decision.

Report, page 8