Description of maternity rights for working women in France, Italy and in the United Kingdom

We compare measures for social protection of pregnant women at work in France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. The most favourable situation for women exists in Italy where difficult working conditions for pregnant women are prohibited by law and where women have a lengthy, well paid mandatory leave. The least favourable situation is in the United Kingdom because of restrictive eligibility requirements for maternity rights and the low income replacement during maternity leave. We conclude with a discussion of the implications for regulation and social protection in the European Community.