This right is granted upon the birth of a child, primary adoption of a child under the age of eight, or when a child under the age of eight is taken into permanent foster care.
Each parent has an individual right to parental leave, which cannot be transferred to the other parent. An employee becomes eligible for parental leave after maintaining continuous employment for six months with the same employer.
Unlike maternity leave, parental leave does not include the right to receive payments from the Maternity Leave Fund. Additionally, it is not a legal requirement for the employer to provide payments to the parent during this period of absence from work.
A parent is entitled to take paid leave for a maximum of 12 working days each year to care for their children who are under 13 years of age and are unwell.
This provision which is based on a collective agreement allows parents to take time off from work to attend to their children's health without loss of wages. The paid leave for children's illness is an essential benefit that helps parents balance their work and family responsibilities while ensuring the well-being of their child.
If a child's illness extends beyond the duration covered by the paid leave entitlement, the parent may qualify for sickness benefits from the relevant BHM fund.
Parents who experience the tragic loss of a child or fetus are granted certain rights to leave from work and financial support from the State.
In the event of child loss, a parent can take bereavement leave for up to six months. Specific provisions apply to stillbirth or miscarriage: three months for stillbirths after 22 weeks of pregnancy, and two months for miscarriages after 18 weeks.
For more information, please contact the Directorate of Labour.