EU protection for pregnant workers must not result in new costs for UK Government and businesses
23/02/10 | 17:30
Following the amendment of the Pregnant Workers Directive in the European Parliament today, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
"The Pregnant Workers Directive should be about setting minimum EU standards for the health and safety of pregnant workers - not adding new payroll costs for overburdened companies and national social security systems.
“This vote introduces complexity and uncertainty, which are totally unnecessary, as the UK and other EU countries already have well-developed national maternity pay systems.
“Companies need to be given the space to deliver growth and jobs - without being hamstrung by new and costly maternity rules.
“As the Directive moves forward, we urge the European Parliament as a whole and the Council to overturn these costly amendments."
Ends
Media Contact:
Sam Turvey
Tel: 020 7654 5813
Email: s.turvey@britishchambers.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
1. The BCC is calling on the UK Government to lead a campaign for a three year moratorium on new EU employment law - unless it can be proven that the legislation will create jobs.
2. According to the BCC’s employment burdens timeline, new employment and tax laws over the next four years will cost UK firms £26.5 billion. The cost for the Pregnant Workers Directive is taken from the last available UK impact assessment in 2008, and calculates the cost before any new amendments to the directive.
3. A BCC briefing paper on the Women’s Rights Committee amendments , which was sent to members of the committee ahead of the vote.
4. The BCC has a Brussels Office, which can be contacted on +32 (0)2 219 94 44.
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