The proposal from the European Commission to consider withdrawing the Maternity Leave Directive was strongly opposed by MEP Marian Harkin in the European Parliament when she stated that women throughout the EU should have the same level of paid maternity leave as staff employed in the European Parliament.

She said: - "As we start a new term of the European Parliament and the Commissioner we are faced with an impasse from the last Parliament and we simply must find a compromise with the Council and equally the Council must compromise with us - otherwise we have a dysfunctional system.

"Furthermore just as we, Members of the European Parliament, nailed our colours to the mast when we voted for or against this proposal, Member States who are part of the blocking minority need to explain to their voters, their citizens - women and men why they are blocking a maternity leave directive that would help guarantee equality of treatment for mothers and babies across the EU.

"I totally oppose withdrawal of this Directive and am pleased that the Italian Presidency will work for its adoption. Personally I support this proposal of 20 weeks paid leave - that is the norm for the staff in the Parliament - are we saying other women deserve less than this? Indeed this Directive supports many women who are lower paid or not in permanent or pensionable jobs.

"This Directive also protects pregnant women against discrimination and helps to ensure the health and safety of mothers and new-borns and makes a huge contribution to achieving a core principle of EU policy - the achievement of gender equality and the elimination of the gender pay gap.

"As I said earlier we need to find compromises. Perhaps there could be flexibility in the 20 week period of leave in that there could be some interchange between maternity and paternity leave to cater for national preferences and maybe flexibility as to time taken before and after birth. Perhaps there could be some lead in time towards 20 weeks fully paid maternity leave.

"It is crucial we achieve compromises on this issue otherwise it languishes in a sort of limbo and many pregnant women in the EU will not have the possibility of a reasonable timeframe of paid maternity leave and strong protection in their jobs when pregnant or breastfeeding" Harkin concluded.