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Parental leave: should it be changed?
The reform of parental leave is underway. The government wants to reduce it. But the new formula envisaged does not win the support of all. So, for or against parental leave better distributed between the two parents?
The Minister for Women’s Rights unveiled in July the outline of her parental leave reform project presented to the Senate on Monday, September 16, 2013. The government wants to limit it to two and a half years. This reform project is also talking about better distributing parental leave between the two parents. The additional six months could only be taken by the second parent. This leave was initially to be better compensated (measure planned at the time when the following interviews were carried out) but the reform of Najat Vallaud Belkacem provides on the contrary a capping of this allowance at 388 euros for all households.
FOR the reform of parental leave: Brigitte Grésy, General Inspector of Social Affairs
“I am in favor of this reform. This measure was also part of my report on parenthood delivered in 2011. LParental leave mainly concerns women (96%). There are two scenarios. Women who continue to work part-time and those who cease their activity entirely (12%). It is this second situation which for me is worrying. No one can dispute that this work cut is detrimental and weakens the employability of these women. It is obvious that after three years, you cannot find a comparable job. The consequence is that these mothers find it difficult to return to the labor market. In addition, the amount of the free choice of activity supplement (CLCA) is around 500 euros. It is extremely weak. This puts families in a precarious situation. Behind that, the risk is child poverty. By paying better for parental leave (60% of the salary), we keep people in employment. (Editor’s note: the increase in compensation is no longer included in the reform project). What should be in addition to shortening the leave is set up mechanisms (training, skills assessment) precisely to bring beneficiaries back to the world of work. In Sweden, the employee maintains professional ties with his employer.
As regards the proposal to better distribute parental leave between the two parents, this is obviously a good thing. Parental models have evolved, we are moving towards formulas that allow equal access of men and women to family and professional responsibilities. What is proposed is a guaranteed period for the father: 1 month out of the 12 months, non-transferable. This is done all over Europe. Men must enter into active fatherhood as soon as possible. Any process that increases the role of the father is positive. “
AGAINST parental leave reform: François Fondard, President of the National Union of Family Associations (UNAF)
« We are opposed to a shortening of parental leave. This measure currently concerns 500 people. In 000% of cases, it is chosen. And the return to work is going well for 60% of women. Reducing it to one year would pose huge problems for beneficiaries because it risk of accentuating the problem of childcare. Currently, parental leave can end at the latest every three years of the child, so until entry into kindergarten. What is well done. If it is shortened, how will families go about looking after their children during this period? There is already a lack of 350 childcare places for 000-0 year olds. Today, it is mostly women who take it. It is a question of financial arbitrage, we know the differences in wages between men and women.
If the leave was better paid, with a percentage of the salary, we also think that there would be a better sharing in the couple. Why not. We can think about several types of parental leave. But women who want to look after their children for three years must be able to continue to do so. This decision is made by a number of families. And it is also thanks to this type of device that we have a much greater demographic dynamic than our neighbors. “
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The moms point of view
“For what to do, we do not have to stop for 3 years. And this already exists with COLCA, which allows you to take a year while being better compensated. I think three years is good, it allows you to take care of your child before entering school. It’s a choice for us, because given our working hours, all our money would go into childcare and hello the sustained pace for the little ones. What is needed above all is more places in crèche and more flexible hours. ”
stephanie380
« I am totally for ! For my first child, I was not able to take parental leave because of the amount of the allowance … If the allowance is increased, it would be possible, if only for a year to enjoy my baby a little … because I really have the feeling of having missed a lot of things with my first one by warning him at only 4 months. ”
PtitesMimines
“Give the possibility of taking only one year, better compensated, from the first child, I say yes but it must remain a choice. We are not “reforming” our current free choice of activity to shorten it to 12 months for everyone… And what will happen to those who opt for part-time leave? ”
noumonia273