Currently, parents of premature babies have the same leave entitlement as those with full-term babies, which shortens the time they can spend with their child after hospital discharge.
The new amendment proposes extended leave: up to 15 weeks for babies born before the 28th week of pregnancy or weighing less than 1000 grams, and 8 weeks for those born between the 28th and 36th weeks.
This extended leave will be available to not only biological parents but also legal guardians, foster, and adoptive parents.
Additional benefits apply to public service employees, such as teachers and officers. During the extended leave, parents will receive a maternity allowance equal to 100% of the base amount.
The project was introduced following a petition from the Coalition for Premature Babies Foundation, supported by nearly 16,000 people.
Details of the project were shared by Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, the Minister of Family, Labor, and Social Policy, through social media.
Source: IAR/PAP/X/@MRPiPS_GOV__PL
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