The discussions on the Commission's proposed revision of the pregnant workers' directive have encountered another stumbling block at the European Parliament.

Back in October 2008, the Commission proposed an update of the current directive, whereby the minimum maternity leave would be extended from 14 to 18 weeks, six of which would have to be taken after childbirth.

The discussions moved to the European Parliament where a report drafted by MEP Estrela and adopted by the EP, argued for minimum maternity leave in the EU to be extended from 14 to 20 weeks on a fully-paid basis, whilst an entitlement for paternity leave of at least two weeks was also introduced in the report.

The European Parliament commissioned an independent impact assessment based on the scenario envisaged by the Estrela Report. While the first report submitted by the Women's Rights Committee in mid-June was rejected on the basis that it was "too vague and unscientific", a new version of the impact assessment is expected to be presented by the end of July. A conference is set to be held in September to brief MEPs on the financial impact and the long-term benefits of the maternity and paternity leave proposals.

The Malta Business Bureau has reiterated its position against the current EP proposals through the publication of a cost-assessment study that projected the financial implications of the proposed leave extension and the introduction of two-week long paternity leave. The cost assessment shows that the EP's proposals could cost the local economy around €12 million per annum.

The Malta Business Bureau believes it is crucial to reinforce the practice of integrated impact assessments accompanying EU legislative proposals with a clear bearing on the competitiveness of business. The SME test so often championed by the Commission needs to be endorsed in an impact assessment culture, whereby EU legislative initiatives are examined in a balanced manner based on quantitative cost-benefit analysis.