Spain has approved an extension of paid parental leave

After the government approved a new extension of maternity and paternity leave rights, NEW parents in Spain can now enjoy 17 weeks each of paid leave.

Under the new legislation – set to be ratified by Spain’s Congress in September – standard parental leave for both parents will increase from 16 to 17 weeks.

For single-parent homes, the paid leave has increased from 16 weeks to 32, and four of those can be used before your child turns 8 years old.

The Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has put his weight behind these proposals to appease his junior coalition partner Sumar. Sumar, led by Yolanda Diz, the deputy prime minister, has pledged 20 weeks statutory leave for both parents.

Diaz hailed the move earlier this week, telling a press conference: “Spain is moving towards feminism and equality…and there will be no turning back. We are moving forward.

Four of every ten males in our nation now take parental leaves. “This is a significant feminist accomplishment.”

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Spain is only one of two EU countries (along with Finland) that offers equal paid leave for both mothers and fathers.

Other member states, including Croatia, Ireland and Belgium, grant longer maternity leave – but Spain offers better rights for fathers. 

Diaz said that the move was necessary to comply with the European Work-Life Balance Directive of the EU.

Spain was being fined €9,000 per day for failing to comply – totalling over €10 million so far – but the levy is set to increase to a daily rate of €43,000 this month.

The move is set to cost the Spanish taxpayer €1.5 billion, with Diaz confirming that the government’s welfare department would be forced to stump up the cash, rather than employers.

The proposal still needs to be passed by Congress, but Diaz said parliamentary groups had ‘responded well’ to its content.

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