The EU seeks to expand to 20 weeks the minimum length of maternity leave

The Parliament approved a proposal to expand from 14 to 20 weeks minimum maternity absence throughout the European Union and one hundred percent of salary. However, it must come to an agreement between the Parliament and the Twenty-seven , which is difficult because some countries are opposed even to the extent at 18 weeks, the initial proposal of the European Commission. As you can see in our last Report, the average weeks paid absence in America is 13, a number that would be very far from the 20 weeks if they approve the initiative.