On International women's day, we need to champion what the EU has delivered for women, now more than ever

The European Union has traditionally worked hard to further the rights of women as workers, mothers, citizens and as pensioners. One of the provisions in the first EU Treaty of 1957 was for equal pay for equal work for men and women workers - 13 years before the United Kingdom adopted its own legislation on equal pay. The European Parliament has played a significant part in supporting equal opportunities policy particularly since it established its Committee of Women's Rights and Gender Equality in 1984. International women’s day is not only an opportunity to celebrate what we have collectively been able to achieve, but to also make the case for protecting workers and women's rights across Europe and the world.

"On International women's day, we need to champion what the EU has delivered for women, now more than ever."

The EU has delivered;

Maternity rights - In the past women had to work for the same employer for two years before being entitled to maternity rights. The EU has reduced this 2 year threshold to just 26 weeks working for the same employer continuously.

Parental leave -  EU law means that any parent with a child under five has the right to a minimum of 18 weeks unpaid parental leave to be taken when they choose before the child's fifth birthday.

Right to return to work - EU laws now ensure that a woman's job (though not her specific post) must be held open so she can return to work without loss of status or pay. Many older women will remember the days when getting pregnant meant losing your job.

Paid holidays - Strongly backed by Labour MEPs this EU law means that workers have an automatic right to 28 days (20 days + 8 bank holidays) annual paid holiday and a guarantee of at least one day off each week.

Shorter working hours - Under the Working Time Directive employees are no longer obliged to work more than 48 hours per week and are entitled to a break every 6 hours.

Equal rights for part-time workers - Nearly half of working British women work part time hours. In the past many women lost out but now part-time workers have equal rights to pro rata paid leave, pensions, maternity rights, access to training and other company perks and benefits.

Better rights for agency workers -  More than half of agency workers are women and the Temporary Agency Worker Directive will give people more clearly defined rights. This means the same rights as permanent staff including pay and holidays after 12 calendar weeks on an assignment.

Women on boards - Women currently make up 10% of the directors of the largest companies in the EU and only 3% of CEOs. Euro MPs recently voted in favour of the European Commission’s to proposals to legislate to increase female representation on company boards to 40% by 2020.

Protection orders - This will mean that the victims of crime, such as women who have suffered domestic abuse, and who have already been granted protection in one EU member state will be able to access similar protection if they move to another EU country.

Almost all of these rights are on David Cameron's 'red tape' hit-list. He believes that these protections place a burden on businesses and wants to 'renogotiate' them with Brussels. Labour MEPs do not trust David Cameron to look after women's interests and it's time to spread the word, now more that ever, about just how much the EU has delivered for women, and what is at stake if Cameron has his way.

Linda McAvan