PRESS RELEASE
Brussels
25 January 2019
The European Parliament and the Council of Ministers have agreed on a new Work-Life Balance Directive that improves minimum social standards, including compulsory paternity leave and the right to take time off to care for sick or elderly relatives.
Commenting on the directive, the European Green Party co-chair Monica Frassoni said:
“This is brilliant news for families who often struggle to combine work commitments and family life. The directive sets new minimum standards, including a 10-day paternity leave and 5 days carer’s leave for those who need to take care of sick relatives.
“It is still mostly women who take on the vast majority of caring responsibilities whether for children or sick or elderly relatives. We hope this new package will encourage a more equal distribution of tasks between genders.
“It is measures such as these that help renew faith in the European Union to have a tangible and beneficial impact on people’s lives. We will continue to work in the interests of a more ambitious social Europe that protects and respects its citizens.”
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E paul.nolan@europeangreens.eu
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European Green Party
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