ENASP experts' panel auditioned Mr Fernando Pereira from the DG Employment, Social Affairs & Equal Opportunities (Unit EMPL/G2), which was involved on the recent Commission legislative initiative concerning the social rights of co-helping partners of independent workers (including farmers). The proposal on self-employed women will provide equivalent access to maternity leave as for employees, but on a voluntary basis (replacing the existing Directive 86/613/EEC). At the same time, spouses and life partners (recognised as such in national law) who work on an informal basis in small family businesses such as a farm or a local doctor's practice (so-called 'assisting spouses') will have access, at their request, to social security coverage on at least an equal level of protection as formally self-employed workers. This initiative form part of a package of two measures to improve work-life balance for European women.