Bulgaria has the longest maternity leave in the European Union – from a total 315 days in 135 the young mothers receive 90% of their salaries and in the rest of the time – social insurances.

This is stated in the data of the European Commission, which has been officially spread today in connection to the suggestion of the EC for the European legislation to be changed in such a way, so that the maternity leave in the EU becomes at least 18 weeks in comparison with the currently given 14 weeks.

‘We want to give women the opportunity to combine family and professional life beter’, said the commissary of employment, social matters and equal opportunities Vladimir Spidla.

This suggestion, which isn’t accepted well by many employers’ organizations in the EU, will be offered for discussion in the EU Council and in the European Parliament. They will jointly make the decision about it.

Currently, the maternity leave in the EU varies significantly in the different countries. In Belgium it is 15 weeks, in Italy – 21, in the Czech Republic – 28 weeks and in Bulgaria – 45.