MPs from the two governing parties – VVD and CDA – are opposed to European parliament plans to increase statutory maternity leave to 20 weeks and introduce paternity leave of two weeks, the Volkskrant reports on Wednesday.

Maternity leave in the Netherlands is currently 16 weeks, while new fathers get two days.
The European Commission had called for 18 weeks paid leave for new mothers, but the parliament decided to go further.
Health
VVD MP Malik Azmani told the paper his party is opposed to any increase because it is not necessary from the health perspective. ‘It does not help more women get a job and employers will have to pay the extra salary,’ he said.
Although the CDA had earlier agreed with an increase, spokesman Eddy van Hijum said the parliaments proposals go too far. They will cost the government €500m a year at a time of economic crisis, he pointed out.
The two parties said they wish to debate the issue with social affairs minister Henk Kamp before he discusses the plan at a European level.
A spokesman for the two main employers organisations VNO-NCW and MKB Nederland said the increase is not necessary and the money could be better spent elsewhere.
France, Germany and Austria also oppose the increase and the negotiations are likely to take years, the paper says.
Opposition MPs said they supported the plan.