Seven Days Leave for Parents Who Lose a Child Under The Age Of 18

Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue, Andy Ellul, has announced details of a new bereavement leave scheme for parents who lose a child. Under this legal amendment, parents will be entitled to seven days’ leave, effective from 1 January 2026.

Ellul explained that the leave will apply to all types of workers, including full-time, part-time, and self-employed individuals. Full-time employees will receive full pay, part-time workers will be paid pro-rata, while self-employed individuals will be entitled to the median wage, or slightly more than double the national minimum wage. The leave will also extend to same-sex couples.

Over the past ten years, Ellul noted, an average of thirty cases per year involved parents losing a child under the age of 18. He added that the measure had already been consulted with social partners and had achieved consensus.

Parliamentary Secretary also emphasised that the introduction of this measure would not place any financial burden on employers, as the additional days will be funded by the Government. Those experiencing such a tragic loss will have the opportunity to regain their footing and begin to recover from the trauma.

However, Ellul made it clear that no amount of leave can ever erase the pain these parents endure.

He concluded that this amendment sends a strong message that, even in the darkest moments, Maltese society stands by bereaved parents.

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