PN Proposes 1 Year Government Paid Parental Leave To Be Shared Between Both Parents After Child’s Birth

The Nationalist Party has proposed one of Malta’s most significant family leave reforms as part of its electoral manifesto ahead of the general election set for 30th May.

Under the proposal, parents would be entitled to a total of one year of paid parental leave for each child, fully funded by the Government.

In practical terms, a mother would first receive six months of maternity leave on full pay. Following this period, parents would then be entitled to an additional year of paid parental leave to be shared between them.

PN says this additional year would be split equally, with six months allocated to the mother and six months allocated to the father. Single parents would be entitled to the full year themselves.

The proposal also introduces flexibility in how the leave is taken.

Rather than using it in one continuous period, parents would be able to spread the entitlement over three years by working reduced hours while still receiving financial support.

For example, a parent could opt to work mornings only for a period, or reduce their working week to four days instead of five, gradually using their leave entitlement over time.

The reform also increases paternity leave from two weeks to six weeks on full pay, which fathers would be able to take at any point during the child’s first year.

The same entitlements would apply to adoptive and foster parents.

Several European countries already operate similar systems. Sweden offers up to 480 days of shared parental leave, Spain provides 16 weeks for both parents, and Finland allows flexible sharing arrangements between parents.

PN said the aim is to improve early childhood development while enabling parents to spend more time with their families without sacrificing their careers.

#MaltaDaily