Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Hof van Cassatie (Belgium) lodged on 17 March 2008 — C. Meerts v Proost NV

(Case C-116/08)

(2008/C 128/43)

Language of the case: Dutch

Referring court

Hof van Cassatie van België

Parties to the main proceedings

Appellant: C. Meerts

Respondent: Proost NV

Question referred

Are clauses 2.4, 2.5, 2.6 and 2.7 of the framework agreement on parental leave concluded on 14 December 1995 by the general cross-industry organisations UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC which is annexed to Council Directive 96/34/EC (1) of 3 June 1996 on the framework agreement on parental leave concluded by UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC to be interpreted as meaning that, where an employer unilaterally terminates an employment contract without urgent cause or without compliance with the statutory period of notice at a time when the worker is availing himself of arrangements for reduced working hours, the payment in lieu of notice that is due to the worker must be determined by reference to the base salary calculated as if the worker had not reduced his working hours as a form of parental leave in accordance with clause [2].3(a) of the framework agreement?

(1)  OJ 1996 L 145, p. 4.