Self-employed and assisting spouses

Summary

• The Directive on self-employed workers and assisting spouses (2010/41/EU) gives self-employed women, assisting spouses and life partners of self-employed workers, the right to maternity leave and allowance for 14 weeks should they choose to take it.
• Assistant spouses and life partners of self-employed workers will have the right to social security coverage (such as pensions) on an equal basis as formal self-employed workers, if the member state offers such protection. This will help provide a stronger social safety net and prevent women from falling into poverty.
• Member states may decide whether the maternity allowance and social protection rights are granted on a mandatory or voluntary basis, i.e. upon request.

Implementation

• The Directive came into force on 4 August 2010. Member states have 2 years to implement its provisions: UK law must therefore be amended by 5 August 2012.

Resources

• Directive on Self-Employed Workers and Assisting Spouses.

The full version of this article is available to subscribers only. To read the full article you must sign in.
Or Find out more about subscription