Call to support swift progress on Work-Life Balance Directive at EPSCO Council
On 26 April 2017, the European Commission proposed a Directive to “support work-life balance for parents and carers”, a topic that will be on the agenda of the upcoming EPSCO Council of 7 December 2017. The Estonian Presidency has started the discussion, but is it of the utmost importance that the file progresses without being watered down and without any barriers slowing down its approval.
We are 10 civil society networks and organisations representing millions of children, young people, adults and families across the EU. We have been calling for such an initiative for a number of years and we welcome the proposal because we strongly believe it could have a real impact.
The existing legal and institutional leave framework fails to sufficiently address problems faced by parents and carers on a daily basis, and does not provide adequate solutions for the needs of modern societies (i.e. an ageing population, the gender pay and pension gap, and equality in the labour market).
The proposal for a Directive on Work-Life Balance is the right way forward and it must now be swiftly approved and followed up with enforcement and monitoring. Some of the measures included are particularly helpful, such as the introduction of paid paternity leave of ten days, paid carers’ leave, non-transferable paid parental leave (at sick leave level), and the right to request flexible working conditions. These will bring real changes to the lives of many Europeans.
Many people in Europe are becoming disengaged from the European project, feeling they have lost in the race of globalisation and seeking responses to anti-European sentiments. This is a consequence of the fact that in recent years the EU has forgotten its human face, and its ambition to go beyond financial and economic integration to build a real Social Europe. We welcome the proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, and delivering the Work-Life Balance Directive will be a first concrete example of how good intentions can become reality.
We are aware that this may require some investment and adjustments to national laws and policies, and we remain at your full disposal for a more detailed discussion on any specific point.
Further information, please contact
Paola Panzeri, Senior Policy and Advocacy officer +322 500 56 92 ppanzeri@coface-eu.org
Ana Pérez, Communication manager +322 500 56 93 aperez@coface-eu.org
About the #IwantWorkLifeBalance campaign
COFACE Families Europe recently launched the #IwantWorkLifeBalance campaign to shore up citizen support for the recently proposed Directive on work-life balance for working parents and carers. More information about the #IwantWorkLifeBalance campaign
Join the movement on Social Media: #IWantWorkLifeBalance
About COFACE Families Europe
COFACE Families Europe advocates for strong social policies that take into consideration family needs and guarantee equal opportunities for all families. More: www.coface-eu.org
Related articles & publications
How Lviv and its young people are changing the culture of education
In Lviv, the European Youth Capital 2025, learning has long gone beyond school desks and university lecture halls. It begins where curiosity meets courage: with the desire to explore, try, make mistakes, improve and create something new. It is precisely this vision of education that has shaped one of the key directions of the European Youth Capital 2025 programme, as well as the new Lviv youth strategy, which will guide the municipality’s work on youth in the years to come.
Fresh Faces, Big Decisions: General Assembly 2025 wraps up in Brussels
On May 9 and 10 2025, hundreds of young people gathered in Brussels for our General Assembly (GA). They all came together for two days of democratic decisions, in depth discussions and conversations around the issues that really impact and matter to young people all over Europe.
Join the European Youth Capital 2028 Focus Group
Do you have experience in fostering young people's participation in cities? Have you implemented European youth policies at a local level, or through the European Youth Capital title?