IF calls on the EPSCO Council: a swift transposition of the Work-Life Balance Directive is needed!

In light of the EPSCO Council meeting on 9 and 10 December where the Economy of Wellbeing, Gender Equality, and Health and Safety at Work will be discussed, the International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (IF) calls on the ministers responsible for employment, social affairs, health, and consumer policy to swiftly transpose the EU work-life balance (WLB) directive.

IF particularly welcomes the introduction of the carers’ leave, the additional five working days carers can take as leave in a year that is the recognition of the crucial role of informal carers, most of whom are women, in the society. 

The WLB Directive has significant potential to improve the situation of families who have members with disabilities, such as spina bifida and hydrocephalus (SBH), this is why IF urges the EPSO Council and the EU Member States to swiftly and fully transpose the directive 

‘’Many parents in our association have to accompany their children with disabilities to school to help them with hygiene and accessibility.  Five extra days per year for them would be a huge help, especially if these days were paid.” – Ruta Udraite, mother of a child with spina bifida, Board member of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Lithuania. 

If you want to read more testimonies from our members, please read the message we sent to the EPSCO Council.