Breastfeeding Manifesto

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Dear {insert name of MEP} As a supporter of the Breastfeeding Manifesto, I am writing to ask you to support the proposed amendments to the EU Pregnant Workers Directive in the report of the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee. These amendments offer the chance to significantly improve the rights of pregnant women, new mothers, women who are breastfeeding, and their families. Whilst the UK exceeds some of the minimum standards recommended in the report, it falls short on others. As you may know, the Equal Opportunities Commission inquiry into pregnancy discrimination found that 30 000 women each year lose their jobs as a result of pregnancy discrimination (EOC 2005). And, the Alliance Against Pregnancy Discrimination in the workplace has found that the situation has worsened during the recession (Alliance, 2009). The amendments would provide an important deterrent to this kind of discrimination by making it illegal for employers to dismiss women within 6 months of return to work from maternity leave. The proposed amendments also provide for legislated breastfeeding breaks at work. The report also proposes additional leave for parents of premature babies and for mothers of children with disabilities; mothers with disabilities; teenage mothers; mothers with multiple births; or where the birth occurs within 18 months of the previous birth. The report states that this additional leave should be proportionate and allows the special needs of the mother and child to be accommodated. We are calling for all UK MEPs to show their support for pregnant women, new mothers and their families by supporting these amendments and for the UK government to support the directive at Council. Best wishes, {your name}

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