Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Helsingin käräjäoikeus (Finland) lodged on 4 November 2008 — Sanna Maria Parviainen v Finnair Oyj

(Case C-471/08)

(2009/C 19/22)

Language of the case: Finnish

Referring court

Helsingin käräjäoikeus

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicant: Sanna Maria Parviainen

Defendant: Finnair Oyj

Question referred

Is Article 11(1) of the Protection of Pregnant Workers Directive (1) to be interpreted as meaning that a worker who is transferred to other lower-paid work because of her pregnancy must, on the basis of that provision, be paid as much as she received on average before the transfer, and is it relevant in that respect what kind of allowances and on what basis the worker was paid in addition to her basic monthly pay?

(1)  Council Directive 92/85/EEC of 19 October 1992 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding (tenth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) OJ L 348, 1992, p. 1.