(Brussels) In a changing world of work and a demographic shift towards an aging society, the introduction of minimum rules on carers’ and paternity leave “is an important step in view of a more people-centered economy”. Fr. Olivier Poquillon, General Secretary of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), said this today as he welcomed the new rules on work-life balance, approved by the European Council on 13 June. “These new rules”, COMECE explained in a statement, “will help parents across Europe to cope with the twin challenges of professional career and family responsibilities in an ever-faster world of work”. For the first time with this Directive, the EU “recognizes the informal work done by EU citizens, mostly women, that provide care to depended and elder family members in need of assistance”. Hence Father Poquillon encouraged the EU Member States to “implement these new rules into their national legislative systems”.