The Government of Spain has approved today a Royal-Decree Law on urgent measures that includes the extended paternity leave to eight weeks in 2019, 12 weeks in 2020 and 16 weeks in 2021.
Although the measure had already been announced last year, the rejection of the Budgets by Congress caused it to remain in the air, so approval by law decree was expected.
Predictably, the measure will take effect one day after its publication in the BOE, although the text must be validated later by the Congress.
Equal and non-transferable permits
The Vice President of the Government, Carmen Calvo, explained today at a press conference how to proceed with the extension of the paternity leave. It will be done progressively to give companies time to adapt:
So this year will go from the current five weeks to the eight that have just been approved
January 1, 2020 will be extended to 12 weeks
And in 2021 to 16 weeks.
In the case of multiple births, the permit will be extended by two more weeks for each child from the second.
Thus, in 2021 the Government's objective of achieving equal, non-transferable and paid paternity and maternity leave will be achieved.
In Babies and more Do you equate paternity leave or extend maternity leave? Different positions on conciliationObjective: to favor co-responsibility in the care of children
Of the eight weeks of leave that parents will have this year, the first two will be mandatory and must match them with the mother's permission. In 2020, of the 12 weeks of leave, parents must take the first four on a mandatory and uninterrupted basis, and in 2021 the first six.
The remaining weeks may be distributed up to 12 months from birth or adoption, being distributed in full or partial days -a previous agreement with the company-, as chosen by the father. But in no case can they be transferred.
If the two parents exercise the permit “with the same duration and regime”, that is, both enjoy 10 weeks after the mandatory six, they will have an extra week each.
In Babies and more Paternity leave exceeds maternity leave for the first time in 2018: what it meansIn cases where the baby must remain hospitalized after birth, the parents can enjoy an extended permit "on as many days" as the newborn is admitted, up to a maximum of 13 additional weeks.
With this comparison the Government not only intends favor co-responsibility in childcare, but prevent maternity from hindering the career of women, since from 2021 men and women will have the same permits.
Via The World
