New Proposal for Parental Leave
Under a new proposal, parental leave in Portugal is set to undergo significant changes. The current four-month fully paid leave could be extended to six months, while the five-month leave at 80% pay may increase to seven months.
Parliamentary Review Status
This proposal is currently under parliamentary review but will not be approved by the end of this year. Despite receiving preliminary approval, it requires further discussion by the Labour and Pensions Committee. With ongoing debates over the State Budget, the likelihood of passing this proposal in 2023 seems slim.
Opposition and Support
The ruling parties, PSD and CDS-PP, voted against the proposal, suggesting it should be addressed through social consultation. Conversely, opposition parties argue for the necessity of supporting newborn care and fostering higher birth rates. Maria João Valente Rosa, a demographer, emphasizes the importance of parental presence in early childhood, though she notes that immediate birth rate increases may require immigration due to a significant decline in births over the decades.
Personal Perspectives
Daniela Costa, a mother of two currently on leave, highlights the flexibility of the existing system, which allows parents to balance work and family life. She advocates for support for both mothers and fathers to spend more time with their children during critical early stages.
Financial Implications
The proposal is not included in the 2025 State Budget, as the government warns that these changes could add 230 million euros to costs, raising total expenditures for parental leave to 630 million euros. The discussion surrounding this proposal is ongoing within the parliamentary committee.
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