It was in March 2019 when the Government of Spain equalized maternity and paternity leave to sixteen weeks progressively: eight in 2019, twelve in 2020 and sixteen in 2021. However, the draft of the new Family Law, promoted from Within the Ministry of Social Rights and the 2030 Agenda, led by Ione Belarra, was approved by the Council of Ministers a few weeks ago, so now it has to face the parliamentary process. This means that the rule could undergo changes in the coming weeks.
Companies will not be able to fire for these permits
The first thing to keep in mind is that the leave for the birth of a child will continue to be 16 weeks, for both the mother and the father. However, the novelty lies in other related social aspects, such as a 100% paid care leave for five days to care for a relative of up to the second degree or cohabitant.
Another of the great permits for mothers and fathers has to do with a new permit, which, in addition, can be enjoyed continuously or discontinuously until the minor turns eight years old. In addition, other social rights are included, such as being absent for urgent family reasons of four paid days, either in case of illness or accident.
But there is no doubt that what is most striking in the legislation is that companies will not be able to enjoy workers who will have children and will enjoy the permits contemplated in the new Family Law of the now minister Iones Belarra. In other words, with this new Family Law, these permits are included as objective situations of protection from a possible dismissal, as long as there are no causes for their origin.