Family leave reform proposal goes to Parliament

The government on Thursday submitted a proposal to the parliament to reform family leave with the view to increase the wellbeing of children and families and to strengthen gender equality and non-discrimination in working life and in the daily lives of families.

The measures to achieve this aim include more flexible and longer family leaves and equal quotas of daily allowance days for both parents, some of which can be transferred to the other parent, said an official press release.

The new family leave model treats all children equally, irrespective of the type of the family.

According to the government proposal for the family leave reform, amendments would be made to the Health Insurance Act, the Employment Contracts Act and the Act on Early Childhood Education and Care.

In addition, amendments are proposed to the Act on Child Home Care Allowance and Private Care Allowance, the Unemployment Security Act, the Act on Client Fees in Early Childhood Education and Care and a total of 24 other Acts.

The reform will also implement the Work-life Balance Directive. Because of the Directive, the Government proposes that employees be entitled to unpaid carers’ leave for a maximum of five days per calendar year.

In finalising the legislative package, the government took account of the feedback received during consultations with organisations and the spring 2021 consultation round and of the views of the Finnish Council of Regulatory Impact Analysis.

The reform is due to enter into force on 1 August 2022.