Countries, all over world, have broadened the aspect of paternity and maternity leaves in the last five decades. Now, even companies have changed their leave policies for would be parents, and made them more realistic and liberal.
It is crucial for a mother to spend quality time with her newborn. Nursing and breast feeding takes time. Thus, countries provide maternity leaves, so that mothers can spend time and take care of her baby. Increasingly paternity leave is also gaining ground and there is research suggesting that it’s important for the father to be with the newborn in early days for family bonding.
Few of the best parental leave policy practices around the world:
Bulgaria, a poor country in Europe, provides a total of 410 days (58.6 weeks) of paid maternity leave. Mothers can take an additional year off with pay equal to minimum wage, once the year is up. Another provision is that they can transfer the leave to the father or grandparent.
Paternity leave in Finland has almost doubled between 2006 and 2013 and now sits at a comfortable 11 weeks
Germany gives equal rights to both men and women for parental leave, that is, 12-14 months. The parent intending to take time off work must apply seven weeks in advance, and must limit their periods of leave to two during the first three years – but each period can be as long as they want(upto 14 months intotal).
It was Sweden which took the honour of introducing paid paternal leave forty years ago. In Sweden, fathers can claim 90 days of paternity leave.
Some countries like Sweden, Canada, Croatia, Slovakia, UK and Italy allow both parents to share the paid leave. Also, same-sex and adoptive parents are allowed to take leave benefits in Sweden, Canada, UK and France.
The Indian Reality
India’s Ministry of Labour announced new amendments of extending maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks in Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. Also, surrogate mothers are getting 6 months (180 days) leave postnatal from 2016.
We hope the recent amendment gets passed and India comfortably sits with 16 other countries giving longest paid maternity leave.