Under the brand new proposal, the present four-month absolutely paid depart might be prolonged to 6 months, and the five-month depart with 80% pay may enhance to seven months.
A proposal to increase absolutely paid parental depart in Portugal to 6 months is presently beneath parliamentary consideration however won’t be authorized by the top of this yr as, though the measure has been despatched for a specialised dialogue, the ultimate vote date should but to be fastened.
The Portuguese Parliament just lately authorized an extension of preliminary parental depart advantages. Under this proposal, the present four-month absolutely paid depart might be prolonged to 6 months, and the five-month depart with 80% pay may enhance to seven months.
Although the proposal has acquired preliminary approval, it nonetheless requires additional dialogue by the Work and Pensions Committee. Given the continuing state finances debate, it’s unlikely that the proposal will cross this yr.
The governing events, PSD and CDS-PP, voted in opposition to the proposal, arguing that it needs to be addressed via social session. Opposition events, nonetheless, have confused the significance of supporting neonatal care and inspiring larger delivery charges.
“This measure is essential to assist mother and father be current within the early levels of their youngsters’s lives, though I might not say that it immediately favors a rise in delivery charges,” says Maria João Valente Rosa, demographer and professor on the Faculty of Sciences Social and Human Sciences on the Nova University of Lisbon.
He famous that an instantaneous enhance in delivery charges would seemingly require immigration, as delivery charges have fallen 60% over six many years, from 217,000 births in 1964 to 85,000 in 2023.
The measure is seen as a invaluable support in reconciling work and household life, reasonably than a direct resolution to Portugal’s declining delivery fee.
Daniela Costa, a mom of two presently on depart at 80% of her wage, explains: «I labored two months part-time, then a month devoted totally to my daughters, and now I’ll return part-time once more. This flexibility is advantageous, particularly for girls, because it permits us to return to work with out returning to busy schedules.”
While Daniela could not profit from this extension, potential mother and father may spend extra time with their youngsters whereas minimizing the influence on household funds. “I believe it’s important to supply help to each moms and dads in order that they’ll spend extra time with their younger youngsters after they want it most,” she added.
The proposal to increase parental depart will proceed to be mentioned within the parliamentary committee.
However, it’s not included within the 2025 State Budget, with the Government warning that the proposed adjustments would add €230 million in prices, bringing whole spending on parental depart to €630 million.
