Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Swedish MEP takes her baby to work in European Parliament chamber

Jytte Guteland has called for workplaces to be more 'child friendly'

Lucy Pasha-Robinson
Friday 17 March 2017 16:59 GMT
Comments
Members of the European Parliament take part in a voting session on November 27, 2014, in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France
Members of the European Parliament take part in a voting session on November 27, 2014, in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France (FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP/Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A Swedish MEP who took her baby to a vote at the European Parliament has called for workplaces to be more “child friendly”.

A picture of Social Democrat politician Jytte Guteland with her young son on her knees went viral after being shared hundreds of times on Twitter.

The MEP said she wanted to normalise bringing children to work so that parents could do so when necessary.

“It's common to have kids at work, but quite uncommon for them to come along and vote. But there is no parental leave for us MEPs,” Ms Guteland told The Local.

"I want parents to be able to have parental leave regardless of their job or assignment. I think we should also be child-friendly so that a baby can come along when it’s possible.”

MEPs are not currently entitled to parental leave, and while they are able to take six months maternity or paternity leave, they cannot be replaced by another politician and are obliged to vote in person.

Social media users were quick to praise Ms Guteland, calling her “impressive” and a good “multi-tasker.”

It is not the first time Ms Guteland has brought her baby to work. Earlier in the month, Labour MEP Julie Ward shared a photo of her addressing the Parliament while carrying her son.

Sweden is one of the most generous countries in the world for parental leave, with parents able to take 480 days of paid parental leave when a child is born or adopted.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in