INTERNATIONAL

EC Ministers Fail to Set Common Pregnancy Law: The 12 European Community nations failed to agree on common compensation standards throughout the trade bloc for pregnant working women. EC social affairs ministers differed on the compensation a woman should receive during maternity leave, and a commission proposal that she receive full pay ran into widespread opposition. The issue will be discussed again in Brussels on Dec. 3. Maternity benefits exist in all member states, but the commission wanted to streamline legislation and improve overall security for pregnant employees.