Government submits proposal for family leave reform to Parliament

NordenBladet — The aim of the family leave reform is to increase the wellbeing of children and families and to strengthen gender equality and non-discrimination in working life and in the daily lives of families. The measures to achieve this aim include more flexible and longer family leaves and equal quotas of daily allowance days for both parents, some of which can be transferred to the other parent. The new family leave model treats all children equally, irrespective of the type of the family.According to the government proposal for the family leave reform, amendments would be made to the Health Insurance Act, the Employment Contracts Act and the Act on Early Childhood Education and Care. In addition, amendments are proposed to the Act on Child Home Care Allowance and Private Care Allowance, the Unemployment Security Act, the Act on Client Fees in Early Childhood Education and Care and a total of 24 other Acts. The reform will also implement the Work-life Balance Directive. Because of the Directive, the Government proposes that employees be entitled to unpaid carers’ leave for a maximum of five days per calendar year. In finalising the legislative package, the Government took account of the feedback received during consultations with organisations and the spring 2021 consultation round and of the views of the Finnish Council of Regulatory Impact Analysis.The reform is due to enter into force on 1 August 2022.Minister of Social Affairs and Health Hanna Sarkkinen and Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen will hold a press conference on the family leave reform on Friday 17 September at 9.30. Watch the press conference live at: Live broadcast of the press conference on the Government’s YouTube channelRecording of the press conference on YouTube and at vn.fi/live The event will be interpreted into sign language. Simultaneous interpretation in Swedish will be available on Yle Arenan.Government proposal to Parliament for acts amending the Health Insurance Act, the Employment Contracts Act and the Act on Early Childhood Education and Care and for related Acts (family leave reform)

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi