The proposal to extend the period during which fathers are entitled to apply for a two-week paternity leave was unanimously passed on Thursday by the Plenary Session of the Parliament. The proposal was tabled on behalf of the AKEL Parliamentary Group by MPs Andreas Kavkalias, Christos Christofias and George Koukoumas.
The proposal passed by the plenary assembly provides that the period of time within which the right to paternity leave may be exercised is extended from 16 weeks to 52, and the right to paternity allowance is extended for a corresponding period of time. By extension, a new father will be able to take two weeks' paternity leave, up to two weeks after the end of his newborn child's maternity leave
[/P]The purpose of the proposal was to enhance the ability to make use of the right to take paternity leave, since, as was mentioned during the discussion of the issue in the meetings of the Labour Committee of the House of Representatives, in 2020, out of a total of 9,500 births, approximately 6 were submitted.500 applications for maternity leave, while applications for paternity leave amounted to around 3,500.
The proposers of the proposal argued that in some cases of couples, parents cannot afford to take both maternity and paternity leave to which they are entitled, as for this period their respective allowances are limited to 72% of their salary, and therefore the couple's total income decreases at a time when their expenses increase due to the birth of the newborn.
The proposers of the proposal argued that in some cases of couples, parents cannot afford to take maternity and paternity leave at the same time, as for this period their respective allowances are limited to 72% of their salary, and therefore the couple's total income decreases at a time when their expenses increase due to the birth of the newborn. In addition, they argued that the proposed regulations contribute to balancing work and family life, to combating gender stereotypes in relation to the care of newborns, and to strengthening the relationship between the father and the newborn.
In her intervention during the plenary session, the President of the Parliament, Anita Demetriou, said that it was important that such a proposal was made by male MPs, although the Secretary General and MP for AKEL, Stefanos Stefanou, clarified that the political concept behind the proposal was more important than the gender of the MPs who made it.
The MPs of all parties who took the floor during the process of voting on the proposal stressed its importance in strengthening the role of the father in raising children and eliminating gender discrimination in this area, while all of them, without exception, stressed that there is much more to be done in this direction.
EPP MP, Andreas Apostolou, said that the proposal, through the debate in the Parliament's Labour Committee, was co-formulated by all stakeholders. He pointed out, however, that much more needs to be done in this direction, such as shortening the period during which applications for such leaves are examined, and argued that even for low-wage earners, 100% of the salary should be paid as a bonus, but that the extension of the 22-week period for maternity leave for the first child should also be considered. From the floor of the plenary session, he welcomed the Labour Ministry's intention to present a bill on paid parental leave, leave for parents caring for disabled or chronically ill children, and flexible working arrangements for new mothers.
"I am glad because in recent years, through the cooperation of the executive and legislative branches, we have taken steps forward, with the plans for young couples' first homes, the framework for a minimum wage and more quality jobs, the provisions for children with disabilities and chronic illnesses," Apostolou said. He also stressed that the non-transferable paternity leave reinforces equality in responsibilities and rights, since by supporting mothers and wives, and the household and home in general, men confirm in practice their intention to balance work and family life.
Ecologist MEP, Alexandra Attalidou, said that balancing work and family life is a major challenge, especially for young parents and young workers with extended working hours. "It is a major contributing factor to the under-representation of women in the labour market," she said, explaining that women who have children tend to work fewer hours in paid work and spend more time on unpaid caring responsibilities, which ultimately leads to their withdrawal from the labour market. "Extending the period of paternity leave will reverse a situation that has worked against fathers taking an equal share of caring responsibilities and will help to change the low rates of paternal leave taking," he added.
He welcomed the proposal, both because it reinforces the view that the responsibility of raising children is shared by both mothers and fathers, but also because it shows that young fathers need to connect with their children in an experiential way. He concluded that "policies should aim to address the issue of stereotypes in occupations and roles of men and women and social partners should be encouraged to fulfil their social role by informing workers, men and women."
DIPA MP Christos Seneces criticised the fact that only 1/3 of young fathers applied for paternity leave in 2020. "Through the proposal there is an attempt to increase this percentage, but it is curious that the counter argument on the part of the Ministry was the fact that the number of people applying for paternity leave and allowance is likely to increase, while this right potentially applies to everyone," he said.
He argued that the narrow margin of 16 weeks from childbirth was intended to limit the number of applicants and said that "these perceptions are completely wrong and confirm the long way to go to achieve even a basic reconciliation of family and work life".
Following Mr Seneca's statement, AKEL MP Andreas Kavkalias hoped that there would be no unpleasant surprises after the adoption of the proposal, with a referral or reference from the government. Commenting on policies to support the family in Cyprus, he said that it occupies a less than honorable position in a UNICEF survey of 41 countries, ranking in the bottom three.
He stressed that much remains to be done, such as the institutionalisation of paid parental leave, increasing maternity leave for the first child, expanding state care structures for infant children, subsidising the cost of care based on socio-economic criteria, reviewing and reformulating child and single parent allowances, ending delays in the payment of allowances and implementing an effective housing programme for young families.
"We know that the proposal we are tabling does not overturn the above," he said, but argued that it is a small step to support the family and in the best interest of the child. He concluded that the next step will be to remove what he called an injustice and distortion, so that couples who have not married or entered into a civil partnership are given the right to paternity leave.
DISY MP Dimitris Demetriou said that after the institutionalisation of paternity leave and the extension of maternity leave for the second and third child, the need for a revision of paternity leave arose. "In my understanding, what is most important is the fact that we are giving a father the right to be alone with his child for two weeks," he said, explaining that it is not just a leave to support the mother.
He added that of particular importance is the upcoming bill on paid parental leave, which will enhance the reconciliation of family and professional life, and confirmed that a bill is coming that will also grant the right to paternity leave to fathers who are not married or in a civil partnership with the mothers of their children.
Source: KYPE
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
