After the extension of the paternity leave from four to five weeks for Spanish parents was frozen, Euskadi announces a great step forward with a pioneering measure in our country: it will raise 18 weeks paternity leave for its officials and it will be the first community in equip their permission with theirs.
This measure is included in the draft draft Basque Public Employment Law that will be approved by the Regional Executive in the coming months. And although at the moment it is only applicable to civil servants, it is an example that could well be extended in the future to the private sector.
Currently, the permits are for a minimum of 18 uninterrupted weeks from delivery, adoption, foster care or subrogation, and 4 weeks for paternity, which are transferable, in part, to the other part of the couple.
The new measure is intended match the length of maternity and paternity leave regardless of your sex and pay them 100%. Further, would not be transferable among the members of the couple, since precisely what is sought is to promote equality and that men can take care of their newborn babies as long as possible.
This puts Euskadi at the level of the Nordic countries, the most advantageous in social policies that promote equality between father and mother, and facilitate work and family reconciliation. Sweden, for example, has 480 days (16 months) shared between father and mother, and the father has an obligation to take at least 90 days from birth. Norway, for its part, grants 112 days (16 weeks) of parental permission only.
Benefits for all
The measure aims for both the father and the mother to be equally involved in the care of the children from the moment of birth. Currently, the father spends the days of leave doing the paperwork by birth and little time is left to enjoy the first days of his baby. A very special moment for the family in which the father is as essential as the mother.
However, it is still not entirely clear that parents benefit from paternity leave: 96% of parental leave is taken by women and childcare is assumed by 90% by women. Clearly, we have to do a change of mentality in society To reverse this situation.
It's enough?
Of course, it is excellent news that marks a path for the rest of the communities. But some voices believe that the announcement falls short, since the women officials already had 18 weeks of minimum permission granted by the Administration of Euskadi.
It is also true that only Euskadi officials will benefit from the measure, from which all fathers and mothers in Spain wish they could enjoy.
On the other hand, it has been requested for years, since it is considered a priority in terms of conciliation, the extension of maternity leave to six months, being consistent with the WHO guidelines that recommend exclusive breastfeeding during that period.
But for something you start, and of course we are glad for those families in which parents can enjoy in equality of the first months with their little ones.
