Forward to a colleague View as a webpage Add us to your white list Quick Links »   New articles this month   News   Features    New articles this month › Full European contents list on XpertHR Top News › EU: Employers oppose European Parliament proposals on maternity › EU: Ministers approve employment guidelines › International: Kimberly-Clark agrees global dialogue with unions › France: New law introduces union elections in small firms › Germany: Steel industry deal provides equal pay for agency workers › Germany: Government proposes temporary agency work legislation › Ireland: Employers' body calls for pay freeze until 2013 › Italy: Greater company-level flexibility agreed in metalworking › Poland: Minimum wage to increase by 5.2% in 2011 › Spain: Wage revision clauses under debate Top Features EU: Parliament proposes major overhaul of Pregnant Workers Directive The European Parliament adopted a set of proposed amendments to the EU Pregnant Workers Directive in October 2010, including 20 weeks' maternity leave on full pay, two weeks' paid paternity leave, adoption leave and time off for breastfeeding. International: EADS agrees Europe-wide negotiating procedure Management and trade unions at EADS, the aerospace and defence multinational, agreed on the introduction of a ground-breaking procedure for the negotiation of Europe-wide agreements on HR issues in September 2010. France: New law addresses arduous working conditions Legislation adopted in France in October 2010 permits workers whose health has suffered because of arduous or strenuous working conditions to retire early and seeks to prevent exposure to such conditions. Top Editor's message PREGNANT WORKERS DIRECTIVE REVISION The most high-profile employment law proposal currently in the EU legislative pipeline is a draft Directive revising the 1992 Pregnant Workers Directive. In October 2010, the European Parliament gave the draft a first reading and proposed a series of major amendments, including the introduction of 20 weeks' maternity leave on full pay, two weeks' paid paternity leave, adoption leave and time off for breastfeeding. The amendments to the Directive must be agreed with the Council of the EU, representing national governments. A number of governments, including that of the UK, are strongly opposed to the Parliament's proposals, which have also alarmed employers' groups. The process of finding a deal is likely to be difficult and protracted. Mark Carley European editor, XpertHR Get more out of XpertHR › Full European contents list › Model policies › Good practice guides › Line manager briefings › Salary surveys Tools for subscribers › My XpertHR › User guide › Advanced search › XpertHR feeds Customer services › Password reminder › Email the helpdesk or call 0845 671 1110 › Read previous newsletters Forward to a colleague xperthr.co.uk This email has been sent to luke.smith@rbi.co.uk Unsubscribe from future European emails. Disclaimer This message is intended only for the use of the person(s) ("Intended Recipient") to whom it is addressed. It may contain information, which is privileged and confidential. Accordingly any dissemination, distribution, copying or other use of this message or any of its content by any person other than the Intended Recipient may constitute a breach of civil or criminal law and is strictly prohibited. If you are not the Intended Recipient, please contact the sender as soon as possible. © Reed Business Information Ltd +44 (0)20 8652 3500 | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy Registered Office: Reed Business, Quadrant House, 9th Floor, The Quadrant, Sutton, SM2 5AS. Registered in England & Wales: 151537