Final adoption of the Work-life balance Directive

Following its adoption by the Council of the EU and the European Parliament, the Work-life balance Directive has been finally published in the Official Journal on the 12th of July 2019. The Directive sets a number of minimum standards at EU level for parental, paternity and carer’s leave, and the right to request flexible working arrangements (telework, flexible schedules and reduction of working time.

After two years of intensive work, MMM is glad that this directive has been adopted and that MMM has been able to participate in the legislative process to convey the needs of families.

All Members States have until August 2022 to  comply with this new Directive and the European Commission will closely follow its transposition at national level.

MMM calls on the European Commission to continue its work on work-life balance and notably to focus on the provision of time, choice on childcare and long term care, recognition of unpaid care work, services to families and financial resources for all European families. In particular, we believe the next step should be the revision of the maternity leave Directive.