Spain to Extend Parental Leave to 20 Weeks in Political Victory for Yolanda Díaz
Spain is set to extend parental leave to 20 weeks, with key support from Yolanda Díaz.
Key Points
- • Yolanda Díaz announces extension of parental leave to 20 weeks, with 4 weeks paid.
- • Agreement reached with PSOE, though less ambitious than original pact.
- • Pedro Sánchez confirms plan to present extension at upcoming Council of Ministers meeting.
- • Sumar party aimed for approval before summer holidays to provide positive news.
In a significant political development, Yolanda Díaz, Spain's Second Vice President and Minister of Labor and Social Economy, announced plans to extend parental leave to a total of 20 weeks, which will include at least four weeks of paid leave. This agreement was reached in coordination with the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), although details reveal that the final proposal is somewhat less ambitious than the original commitments made under the investiture pact.
Díaz publicly emphasized this success during a recent congressional session, stating, "We are going to extend paternity leave to 20 weeks and comply with the directive to at least compensate for four weeks." Following her remarks, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed that the government would introduce what he termed a "historic extension" of birth and care permits in the forthcoming Council of Ministers meeting.
The push for this extension has been particularly driven by the coalition party Sumar, which has been advocating for approval before the summer recess in order to present positive news to the public ahead of the holiday period. The intention is to bolster public sentiment around family support policies as the summer approaches.
While the announcement marks a step forward in parental leave provisions within Spain, it reflects a compromise that some advocates feel does not fully address the initial aspirations for parental leave reform. Nevertheless, the proposed expansion has been celebrated as a crucial advancement in supporting families and reinforcing the government's commitment to social welfare programs amidst ongoing political discussions around economic measures, including the minimum income guarantee (SMI).