Millions of women throughout Europe will be entitled to longer maternity leave under proposals unveiled today by the European Commission.

The Commission's proposal would increase the minimum period of leave from 14 to 18 weeks. In addition, women will have more flexibility over when to take the non-compulsory portion of their leave (before or after childbirth) and would thus no longer be obliged to take a specific portion of the leave before childbirth.

There will also be stronger protection against dismissal and a right to return to the same job or an equivalent one after maternity leave, the European Commission said.

A right to ask the employer for flexible working patterns during or after the end of maternity leave will be introduced although the employer will have the right to refuse this request.

The proposal will be discussed by the European Parliament and the Member States, and it is hoped that agreement will be reached during 2009. EU countries would then have two years to introduce the legislation into national law.

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