Doc. 8801
8 July 2000

Maternity in Europe: improving social and health conditions

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mrs Gatterer and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1. Under the European Social Charter, employed women have the right to maternity protection (they are entitled to leave before and after childbirth, may not be dismissed, may not perform dangerous or unhealthy work, etc).

2. Similarly, the ILO Maternity Protection Convention adopted in 1919 (Convention no. 3) and revised in 1952 (Convention no. 103), and ILO Recommendation no. 95 (1952), invite states to adopt progressive measures in this area.

3. However, thousands of women in Europe do not yet enjoy this basic protection as the legislation of several countries offers only partial and limited guarantees. The 1919 and 1952 conventions have been ratified by only 13 and 16 Council of Europe member states, respectively. The 88^th session of the International Labour Conference, which is currently in progress, is examining a draft revised convention and recommendation which might seriously call into question the extent of the guarantees provided hitherto, owing to the pressures being exerted on the organisation.

4. In the context of its relations with the ILO, the Assembly's Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee should examine these drafts as a matter of urgency and report back to the Assembly on the current conditions of maternity in Europe, particularly from the standpoint of the applicable labour legislation and the degree of social coverage in the member states.

5. Much remains to be done to further the rights of working mothers, particularly as regards maternity leave, continued payment of salaries, protection from dismissal, authorised absences for medical follow-up or for nursing purposes, adjustment of working hours, etc. In the working environment, pregnant women and young mothers may come up against many obstacles and may sometimes be faced with psychological pressure exerted by their employers, giving them a feeling of exclusion.

6. In terms of health care, the situation of pregnant women and young mothers varies widely in Europe. There has been an overall improvement in the rates of infant and maternal mortality in Europe, but they are still too high in several member states and have even increased in eastern Europe, revealing in some cases a disastrous deterioration in the standard of health facilities.

7. According to the WHO, the infant mortality rate is 45 ‰ in Turkey, 30 ‰ in Albania, 29 ‰ in Moldova, 23 ‰ in Romania and Macedonia, 21 ‰ in Lithuania, and 18 ‰ in Russia.

8. Expectant mothers suffer from malnutrition in several countries, such as Russia. Health conditions are also at issue. Vaccination coverage is clearly insufficient. Preventive policies should also be introduced to combat alcoholism.

9. From a social and legal point of view, some significant developments with regard to the conditions of maternity in Europe warrant particular attention and call for legislative changes: increase in the number of children born out of wedlock all over Europe, and especially in northern Europe; increase in the number of very young mothers, especially in the United Kingdom; etc.

10. Lastly, maternity raises the issue of family policy and the reconciliation of family and working life. Consideration needs to be given to ways of establishing a balance in the roles of the two parents, particularly in order to enhance the father's parental role. The European Social Charter does indeed provide for a right of workers with family responsibilities to equality of opportunity and treatment, but further efforts are required to promote its practical application.

Signed¹

Pozza Tasca, Italy, LDR

Alis Font, Andorra, SOC

Bartumeu Cassany, Andorra, SOC

Björnemalm, Sweden, SOC

Christodoulides, Cyprus, UEL

Fyfe, United Kingdom, SOC

Gjellerod, Denmark, SOC

Glesener, Luxembourg, EPP/CD

Kofod-Svendsen, Denmark, EPP/CD

Mutman, Turkey, SOC

Neumann, Germany, SOC

Ojuland, Estonia, LDR

Raskinis, Lithuania, EPP/CD

Robol, Italy, EPP/CD

Spindelegger, Austria, EPP/CD

¹ SOC: Socialist Group

EPP/CD: Group of the European People's Party

EDG: European Democratic Group

LDR: Liberal, Democratic and Reformers' Group

UEL: Group of the United European Left

NR: not registered in a group