Reference News Network, November 14 report - According to AFP, November 12 report, the French National Assembly on the 12th approved the establishment of a new parental leave, allowing both parents to enjoy an additional two months of leave each to welcome a newborn.
This "additional parental leave" will supplement existing maternity and paternity leave, and is a measure of the 2026 social security budget. The proposal was passed with 288 votes in favor and 15 against.
The effective date has sparked controversy; the original text stipulated that this law would apply to children born or adopted after July 2027. However, an amendment proposed by MP Sara Legrand of the "France Insoumise" party moved the effective date to January 1, 2026.
This leave system was announced by President Macron in January 2024, aiming to address the declining birth rate through "rearming the population." Parents can use this leave simultaneously or alternately.
Aurelie Berge, Minister Delegate for Gender Equality, pointed out that the reasons for the decline in France's birth rate are "numerous," including "whether parents can be given more freedom, more rights, and more choices."
After the cross-party amendment was passed, the duration of the leave can be set at one or two months according to the employee's choice, and can be "split" into two separate one-month leaves.
These amendments also stipulate that both parents "must have at least one month" when they cannot take leave together, aiming to better distribute child-rearing responsibilities, allowing fathers or mothers to spend time alone with their children, while giving mothers free time.
The amount of allowance will be determined by decree. The government stated that the first month will be compensated at 70% of the net salary, and the second month at 60%.
Some female MPs expressed regret, believing that this measure is not strong enough. Green Party MP Marie-Charlotte Garnier criticized: "The plan neither addresses the social emergency needs nor meets the equality principles required for a real reform of the parental leave system." She also criticized the government's financing plan for implementing the scheme: delaying the increase in family allowances from age 14 to 18 for the child.
Garnier said: "I strongly oppose the government taking money from parents of older children to secure the rights of parents of younger children." (Translated by Lin Xiaoxuan)
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7572418423259415091/
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