After a discussion in the Council on 17 June showed diverging views between ministers, with some even proposing to stop trying to reach a deal, the MEP responsible on maternity leave report, Edite Estrela, criticised the lack of progress by Member States on plans to modernise existing legislation on the subject.

Edite Estrela, the MEP responsible for the report stated that Member States are not taking into due consideration the large majority reached in the Parliament or the results of the latest Eurobarometer on this issue. In a recent EU-wide Eurobarometer opinion survey, nearly eight out of ten respondents (78%) were in favour of maternity leave of 20 weeks at full pay.

Parliament amended the Commission's initial proposal to provide 20 weeks' maternity leave on full pay and to introduce 2 weeks' paternity leave in its first reading vote. MEPs also added provisions banning discrimination of pregnant workers and protecting the health and safety of pregnant women at work.

Therefore, in order to reach an agreement which will fulfil the needs of European families and of the European economy, Ms Estrela highlighted its reiteration on her availability and flexibility to work together with the Council.