The EU parental leave agreement and Directive: implications for national law and practice
January 1998
The December 1995 framework agreement on parental leave was the first such accord between the EU-level social partners, and was given legal force by a Council Directive in June 1996. This comparative study: outlines current parental leave provisions in the Member States (plus Norway); examines the perceptions of the framework agreement/Directive and the changes it requires in national provisions; and assesses the practical impact of current parental leave provisions and the likely effect of the agreement/Directive.
The comparative study was compiled on the basis of individual national reports submitted by EIRO's national centres. The text of each of these national reports is available below in Word format. The reports have not been edited or approved by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. The national reports were drawn up in response to a questionnaire and should be read in conjunction with it.