A new option of childcare leave will become available soon. The parent who goes on leave will be able to choose an allowance equal to 90% of the salary for the past 12 months up to the child’s age of 1 year and 2 months. The current options – 30% up to the child’s age of 3 or 60% and then 30% up to the child’s age of 2 years and 2 months – remain valid. A bill to this effect was given a final reading by MPs, IPN reports.

Another provision extends the period of paternity leave for fathers from 56 days up to 12 months. Also, the mother and the father will be able to divide the childcare leave between them. The child benefit will be calculated based on the salary of the one who is on leave.

According to the sponsors of the bill, PAS MPs, the legislative proposal is aimed at ensuring a balance between work and family life and more options for involving fathers in childcare. The international practice shows the involvement of fathers in childcare has immediate and long-term positive effects on the wellbeing of children, family and society.

The bill says that the number of beneficiaries of paternity allowance continues to be rather low even if it is higher. The number of fathers who benefit from paternity allowance rises annually by about 25%. However, this is not so much against the number of newborns.