UK close to bottom of European maternity pay league: TUC
The UK comes 22nd out of 24 European countries on maternity pay, with only Ireland and Slovakia offering worse deals, according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC). Although new UK mothers can take a year off work, they are “decently paid” for just a small period of that time. For the first six weeks, women receive 90% of their previous pay. After 33 weeks, there is no statutory pay at all. Croatia, the Czech Republic and Hungary provide the best deals. The TUC is calling on the government to raise statutory maternity pay and allowances.
 
 

Britain is near the bottom of the European league for paid maternity leave, while Croatia, Hungary and the Czech Republic offer the most generous deals to female workers, according to the TUC.



New mothers in the UK receive six weeks of what the TUC calls “decently paid maternity leave” – which it defines as two-thirds or more of previous earnings. Women in the UK are entitled to be off work for up to a year, but they are “decently paid” for a small part of that, says the TUC.

For the first six weeks after the birth, women in the UK get 90% of their previous pay, but that drops to £140 a week – or continues at 90% if that is lower – for the next 33 weeks. Tax and national insurance are deducted. There is no statutory pay beyond 33 weeks.

In other countries, women are entitled to higher sums. In Croatia, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, women receive two-thirds or more of their previous pay for more than four months. In Estonia, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, France, Malta and Switzerland, this lasts for more than three months.

Out of 24 countries, only Ireland and Slovakia have a worse deal than the UK, the TUC finds.

Some employers in the UK offer more generous terms but not enough, said Ros Bragg, director of Maternity Action. “The vast majority of lower-paid and lower-skilled jobs do not come with contractual maternity pay,” she said.

Many women go back to work sooner than they would like because they cannot afford to stay at home with their baby, she said. “Financial issues above all else determine the duration of leave taken by women. There is no question about it,” she said.

“From calls to our advice line, we are hearing that an increasing number of women are returning to work earlier than they’d like.”

Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the TUC, said: “The UK is in the relegation zone when it comes to decently paid maternity leave.

“Many European countries offer decent support to new mums. But lots of parents here are forced back to work early to pay the bills.

“My advice to all new mums is to join a union. It is the best way to improve your pay and conditions.”

The TUC is campaigning for the government to increase statutory maternity pay and maternity allowance, which is for the lowest-paid women, to the level of the minimum wage. It says paternity pay must also increase to that level so there is an economic argument for men to stay at home and share childcare.