The government approved a reform in the Council of Ministers on Tuesday that expands paid leave for parents of newborns. The new policy grants breastfeeding leave totaling 28 consecutive days, or it can be taken in two blocks of 14 days, or in any combination that respects all benefits outlined by the Ministry of Labor. The measure makes this entitlement universal, extending a benefit that has largely existed in sectoral collective agreements to workers who are not covered by such agreements. It is intended to ease work retention and better accommodate mothers, fathers, and other caregivers in the workplace, aligning with health guidelines and modern labor practices. (Source: Ministry of Labor)
Breastfeeding leave, legally referred to as leave to care for a breastfeeding child, is a right recognized by labor law. In 2019, the administration expanded access to this benefit beyond select sectors, following favorable decisions in this direction, to include both mothers and fathers. This broader recognition reflects a shift toward shared parental responsibilities and a more inclusive workplace culture that supports families while preserving productivity. (Source: Government briefing)
As a result, workers may take one hour away from work each day to care for their newborn children without losing pay. The entitlement covers scenarios arising from biological birth, legal adoption, custody for adoption purposes, and multiple foster care arrangements, ensuring continuity of earnings while meeting caregiving needs. (Source: Ministry of Labor)
The policy allows the leave to be used until the child reaches nine months of age. In households where both parents work within the same company, the window can extend to twelve months if they choose to coordinate their leaves. The framework aims to harmonize caregiving with existing schedules, reducing operational friction. It also aligns with related maternity provisions, which commonly set a separate maximum period such as sixteen weeks for birth-related leave, thereby creating a complementary, family-friendly system of benefits. (Source: Official Policy Document)
There is concern that daily one-hour absences could disrupt organizational workflow. To address this, many collective agreements already permit dividing the hour into multiple blocks. The administration’s proposal extends this flexibility to all workers, regardless of whether they are covered by a collective agreement, enabling them to accumulate the full 28 days of leave within a year while maintaining staffing levels and service continuity. This approach preserves operational stability while expanding rights for caregivers. (Source: Ministry of Labor)
Breastfeeding leave remains paid leave, with the employee continuing to receive the same salary during the absence and with the employer responsible for its administration within the company’s payroll and human resources framework. This ensures financial security for workers while they fulfill caregiving duties and supports employers in planning coverage and workloads during the leave period. (Source: Labour Law Summary)