Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki unveiled the proposed changes at a news conference on Tuesday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Morawiecki said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has irrevocably changed many industries and the labour market - we are adjusting to these changes. These are good proposals for Polish workers, for the Polish economy and for the Polish labour market.”
The proposed changes are designed to adjust Polish regulations to two European Union directives, on “more transparent and predictable employment” and the so-called “parental directive,” officials said.
The key change is “the extension of the parental leave by 9 weeks for fathers; thus parental leave will now total 41 weeks, or 43 weeks in the case of twins,” Family and Social Minister Marlena Maląg said.
Moreover, the 14-day paternity leave will be available during the first year of the child’s life, rather than during the first two years, as is the case at the moment. This modification is designed to encourage fathers to play an active role in the upbringing of their children, according to officials.
Also, parental leave for parents of seriously ill children will be extended by 24 weeks to 65 weeks, or 67 weeks in the case of twins, Maląg said.
There will also be a new unpaid five-day carers’ leave for people who need to look after their children or fellow household members.
In addition, many of the new regulations are designed to boost flexible working hours, including by allowing more telework, for instance for parents of children of up to 8 years of age, the PAP news agency reported.
The family and social policy minister said in an interview with PAP, published on Wednesday, that the proposed changes to the Labour Code were designed “to ensure more stable employment for parents of small children and to support a better work-life balance.”
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, interia.pl