On Tuesday, the Parliamentary Labor Committee continued the debate on the bills concerning the institutionalization of parental leave, which aim to harmonize national legislation with European directives, in all concerns the provision of parental leave, paternity leave, care leave and force majeure leave.
During today's session, the Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance came back with improved proposals based on the positions and proposals of the Labor Committee, while accepting the request for increased paid parental leave for parents who have children with disabilities.
The Director General of the Ministry of Labor told the members of the competent Committee of the Parliament that the intention of the government is to adopt this proposal, with the members of the Committee expecting that next week they will have the final proposed bills before them, so that it can be completed the debate as soon as possible.
The final bill will include increased paid parental leave for parents who have children with disabilities and specifically will provide for 12 weeks of paid parental leave, instead of the current 8.
Also, for children up to 8 years of age, parental leave will be up to 18 weeks, of which 8 will be paid.
In addition, in the final bill, parental leave will also apply to unmarried couples, while for the self-employed, the Ministry of Labor said that a new separate bill is being drawn up, which will include the self-employed, so they are not able to include this category today  ?in this bill.
The Member of Parliament of EDEK, Andreas Apostolou, expressed his satisfaction, since, as the Director General of the Ministry of Labor said, he came with improved proposals based on the positions and proposals of the Labor Committee.< /p>
“Through this process, the goal is to find the golden ratio and agree, legislative and executive power, so that we can bring the bills as soon as possible, by the beginning of December, to the Plenary for a vote,” he said.
He noted that they expect next week to have the final proposed bills, so that the discussion can be concluded as soon as possible. and amount of allowances.
He added that “because time is running out and the Parliament closes on December 1st, it was agreed that within the next ten days the final bill will come from the Ministry's side”.
“Intention of the Committee to proceed with the bill in the Plenary for its vote by December 1st. We believe that the bill should go forward and any additional improvements will be seen in the new year,” he said.
