GUE/NGL MEPs demonstrated in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg this afternoon in a bid to put pressure on the new European Commission to keep the Maternity Leave Directive high on its policy agenda.

The MEPs also want the member states to push for a strong Directive that ensures equal maternity rights for all women in Europe.

Portuguese MEP Inês Zuber said: “It's been four years since the Maternity Leave Directive was adopted by the European Parliament at its first reading. Since then it's been blocked by the member states who show no interest in making progress. In July the European Commission then attempted to withdraw the Directive altogether.

“Enough is enough. Both the Commission and the Council must stop these games.

“We need real action on maternity rights for working mothers now. A strong Maternity Directive could protect thousands of working women and boost equality between women and men.”

Spanish MEP Ángela Vallina said: “We are here to defend the rights of women today and tomorrow, but we are also here for previous generations too, to struggle in their name. There is more and more discrimination of women at work because of pregnancy. We need a Directive to protect working women and help young couples.”

#delivernow

GUE/NGL Press Contacts:
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
Emily Macintosh +32 470 85 05 08
European United Left / Nordic Green Left
European Parliamentary Group