WRITTEN QUESTION E-1388/00 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Measures to promote paternity leave.
Date: 2000-05-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, Italy, Sweden, competence of the Member States, paternity leave

C 46 E/186

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.2.2001

Since women do not constitute a (cid:145)separate discriminated category(cid:146), but are represented in all social groups
(i.e. women are also to be found in the groups such as the disabled, foreigners etc. who are subject to
clearly defined discrimination) and are thus in some cases subject to double discrimination, will the
Commission say whether this will be taken into account in the new EQUAL Programme and in the aid
criteria based on this Programme?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(15 June 2000)

The guidelines for EQUAL have taken into account the double discrimination of women, in particular by
requiring the Member States to include in their programme proposals (cid:145)a description of the actions and
methods planned to implement the gender mainstreaming approach effectively(cid:146)(§ 61) (1).

In addition, the guidelines specify that one of the selection criteria for development partnerships will be
the submission of an agreement presenting (cid:145)its strategy and mechanisms for implementing a gender
mainstreaming approach(cid:146) (§35).

(1) OJ C 127, 5.5.2000.

(2001/C 46 E/218)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1388/00

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 May 2000)

Subject: Measures to promote paternity leave

In Sweden (cid:129) and now also in Italy, for instance (cid:129) a special bonus is provided to give fathers a greater
incentive to take paternity leave: if the father takes three months childcare leave, the family is entitled to a
further month of such leave. Statistics show that as a result of this measure 80 % of Swedish fathers now
take paternity leave.

Will the Commission consider pushing through such examples of good practice in the other Member
States so as to ensure that the contribution of fathers and mothers in bringing up children is more evenly
balanced?

Answer given by Ms Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(16 June 2000)

The Commission takes the view that, while the examples mentioned by the Honourable Member
encourage fathers to opt for parental leave and are part of a move towards balancing the involvement of
both parents in bringing up their children, it is the responsibility of the Member States to introduce (cid:145)good
practices(cid:146) of this kind.

At Community level, the legislation on parental leave is the subject of a framework agreement concluded
by the Union of Industrial and Employers(cid:146) Confederations of Europe (UNICE), the European Centre of
Enterprises with Public Participation (CEEP) and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and
implemented by Council Directive 96/34/EC of 2 June 1996 (1). Clause 2.2 of this framework agreement
provides that the right to parental leave should, in principle, be granted as a non-transferable right, in
order to promote equal opportunities and equal treatment between men and women. Given that this
framework agreement is designed to introduce minimum requirements, the Member States enjoy complete
freedom to adopt more favourable measures in this area.

(1) OJ L 145, 19.6.1996.