Table of Contents:
Self-employed workers: equal treatment between men and women
Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Self-employed workers: equal treatment between men and women
Topics
These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.
Employment and social policy > Equality between men and women
Self-employed workers: equal treatment between men and women
Document or Iniciative
Directive 2010/41/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2010 on the application of the principle of equal treatment between men and women engaged in an activity in a self-employed capacity and repealing Council Directive 86/613/EEC.
Summary
The principle of equal treatment between men and women prohibits all forms of discrimination based on sex, whether direct * or indirect * discrimination. This principle must be complied with when establishing, equipping or extending a business, as well as when launching or extending any other form of self-employed activity.
Harassment * and sexual harassment * are deemed to be discrimination on grounds of sex.
This Directive enables European Union (EU) countries to adopt positive action measures. Such public measures are aimed at ensuring full equality between men and women in working life, for example by promoting business creation by women.
Couples with a joint business
In this area, the principle of equal treatment between men and women means that spouses or life partners who establish a business together, shall be treated under the same conditions as other persons.
In addition, where a national social protection system exists for self-employed workers, the spouses or life partners who participate in the activities of the self-employed worker have the right to social protection in their own name. Member States may decide whether the social protection is implemented on a mandatory or voluntary basis.
Maternity rights
Self-employed women, and female spouses or life partners who contribute to the activity of self-employed workers shall be entitled to a maternity allowance for at least 14 weeks. This allowance shall be sufficient to enable them to interrupt their activities if they wish to do so. This allocation shall therefore be equivalent to:
- the average loss of income or profit. This amount may however be subject to a ceiling limit; and/or
- the allowance provided at national level in the event of an interruption in activities on health grounds; and/or
- any other family-related allowance provided for and determined by the EU country.
During the interruption in their activities due to maternity, women shall have access to replacement services and national social services. The provision of these services may replace all or a part of the maternity allowance.
Context
The former Directive 86/613/EEC shall be repealed on 5 August 2012. The current Directive shall have been transposed in all EU countries by this date.
Other directives protect the equal treatment of self-employed workers, such as Directive 2006/54/EC applicable to working life, Directive 79/7/EEC applicable to social security matters and Directive 2004/113/EC which covers access to private/public goods and services.
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References
| Act | Entry into force | Deadline for transposition in the Member States | Official Journal |
|---|---|---|---|
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Directive 2010/41/EU |
4.8.2010 |
5.8.2012 |
OJ L 180 of 15.7.2010 |