Translation of "maternity allowance contract " (English → French) :

“Whereas, moreover, provision concerning maternity leave would also serve no purpose unless accompanied by the maintenance of all rights linked to the employment contract, including maintenance of full pay and [...] entitlement to an equivalent allowance; ”

We wish to point out and highlight the risks inherent in a strict prohibition on dismissal, especially under the present, extended regime of generalised atypical employment contracts and the indirect exclusion of pregnant women from jobs, a regime in which we need not just to maintain and consolidate but to increase maternity leave, define the maternity allowance more clearly and apply strict and more substantive controls on night work by pregnant and ...[+++]breastfeeding working women.

In that respect, it should be noted that it was in view of the risk that the provisions relating to maternity leave would be ineffective if rights connected with the employment contract were not maintained, that the Community legislature provided that 'maintenance of a payment to, and/or entitlement to an adequate allowance' for workers to whom the directive applies must be ensured in the case of the maternity leave.

Whereas, moreover, provision concerning maternity leave would also serve no purpose unless accompanied by the maintenance of rights linked to the employment contract and or entitlement to an adequate allowance;

The social value of the Directive Whilst it is true that this Directive is an inadequate response to the proposals of the Commission and the requests of the European Parliament, particularly with regard to night work and the level of maternity benefits, the Commission nevertheless considers that the adoption of this text will improve the situation of women workers in certain Member States: - prohibition of dismissal irrespective of the length of time in the job and regardless of the size of the company represents a notable improvement for women in Member States where such restrictions still exist (in particular the United Kingdom), - inc ...[+++]lusion of ante-natal medical examinations in working time is a welcome step forward (e.g. in Greece, Ireland, Belgium and France; in the latter case, the four compulsory examinations either had to be taken during personal leave or entailed a loss of pay), - the provisions relating to assessment of risks, particularly the fact that mental fatigue is now included as a potential risk, will clearly help to improve the level of protection of the workers concerned throughout the Community, - maintenance of employment rights during maternity leave is undoubtedly a step forward in the United Kingdom, where the employment contract is suspended during such leave (e.g. in terms of seniority, annual leave and pension rights), - the reduction to one year of the qualifying period for maternity benefits is particularly advantageous to women workers in the UK, where it was necessary to have worked for the same employer for two years (or five years in the case of part-time work) to qualify for maternity benefits at the higher rate (i.e. 90% for six weeks and a weekly flat-rate allowance for the subsequent period).