EU's contested plan for five-month paid maternity in limbo

LUXEMBOURG (AFP) – European Union ministers on Friday failed to endorse a hotly-contested plan to offer new mothers in Europe five months of fully-paid maternity leave.

The scheme, approved by the European parliament late last year but notably opposed by Britain on grounds of the costs, was left in limbo after failing to win approval from EU ministers meeting in Luxembourg.

In a statement issued following the talks, the EU said "several ministers expressed their concerns."

"Some ministers, given the diverging views, advocated that the Council should consider not continuing its work on this topic, while others stressed that the work should continue."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110617/lf_afp/euwomenmaternity_20110617224739

They may not be in favor of dropping to a 5 month leave.. There may be opposition on both sides of this issue..

American women with grudgingly-given non-paid leave can only dream of a 5 month paid leave:(