Equal treatment between men and women: self-employed workers and their spouses

The presidency informed the Council on the agreement between the European Parliament and the Council at second reading on the draft directive. The new piece of legislation will provide for significant improvement in terms of the social protection accorded to self-employed workers and assisting spouses of self-employed workers who often contribute to their spouse's self-employed activities without enjoying the corresponding rights. It is therefore of major help in removing barriers to female entrepreneurship and in improving the status of assisting spouses by granting them protection on their own right. In addition, female self-employed workers and assisting spouses will be granted a maternity allowance for at least 14 weeks. The directive also covers life partners when recognised by national law.

After the legal-linguistic revision of the text the Council is expected to adopt the directive, without discussion, on 24 June.