Framework agreement on parental leave concluded by UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC

This document comprises of a report from the Commission on the implementation of the Council Directive 96/34/EC of 3 June 1996 on the framework agreement on parental leave concluded by UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC. On 3 June 1996, the Council adopted Directive 96/34/EC on parental leave which implemented the agreement concluded by the Social Partners under the Agreement on Social Policy. This report is based on the information sent to the Commission in compliance with Article 2, paragraph 1 of the Directive, under which Member States must inform the Commission of their national implementing provisions, either by legislation or collective agreements. The Commission also sent to the Member States a short questionnaire on parental leave, the answers to which complemented the information previously sent. The Commission has also consulted social partners and the network of independent legal experts on equality. It should be noted that the information sent to the Commission is varied considerably in terms of content and detail. The content of this report is correct as at November 2002.�