Much is being said about increasing maternity leave to 20 weeks and paternity leave to two weeks. In my opinion this has various negative repercussions, particularly on the women themselves when they seek employment pre-pregnancy.

I would urge the EU rule-makers to think laterally and much more wisely on this matter and leave the present maternity leave period at 14 weeks and increase the paternity leave to eight weeks. Both these periods of leave would have to be taken within six months of the child’s birth.

This proposal has many advantages.

First, it introduces the family- friendly measure of benefiting the newborn child with a full-time parent for his/her first 22 weeks of life. Secondly, it gives fathers adequate time to bond properly with their child, particularly in these times of gender equality. Finally, and very importantly, it narrows the gender inequality gap that exists between young men and women of childbearing age when they are seeking employment where, in today’s circumstances, prospective employers are understandably reluctant to employ a young woman “at risk” of getting pregnant.