Alex Borg Revives Proposal Of One Year Of Paid Leave For New Parents

Alex Borg has revivedBernard Grech’s earlier proposal to grant parents a full year of cumulative paid leave.

A core element of the plan is the significant expansion of parental leave.

Paternity leave would rise from 10 to 15 days, reflecting the increasingly active role of fathers in childcare. Parental leave itself would be extended from the current 8 weeks to 28 weeks, equally divided between both parents and non-transferable, encouraging shared responsibility in raising children.

Maternity leave would also be lengthened, moving from 18 to 24 weeks. Of these, the final six weeks could be transferred to the other parent if desired. In combination, these changes would give families access to a full year of paid leave, providing greater flexibility during the crucial first months of a child’s life.

The Nationalist Party further proposes that all maternity, paternity, and parental leave be fully funded by the government, applying not only to employees but also to the self-employed. Payments during parental leave would match the average salary, rather than the current sick leave rate, while the government would absorb costs to reduce the burden on employers.

Additional measures aim to support families beyond the first year. Parents who remain at home with their children during the second year after birth would receive financial assistance.

Businesses offering remote work options would be rewarded with tax credits, and companies would be encouraged to adopt more flexible working practices to improve both productivity and employee well-being.

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Photo Credit: Alex Borg FB, Caleb Oquendo