Finnish family leave reform enters into force equality-promoting-Xinhua
People celebrate Midsummer’s Eve in Helsinki’s Kaivopuisto on June 24, 2022. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua)
With the reform, both parents are paid 160 days of parental allowance, and a maximum of 63 days of parental allowance can be transferred to the other.
HELSINKI, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) — The reform of Finland’s Family Leave Act came into effect on Monday, when for the first time both parents will be granted the same amount of leave upon the birth of a child.
Social Affairs Minister Hanna Sarkkinen said on Monday that the reform will improve the position of women in the labor market and also give fathers more time with their newborn children.
According to the reform, both parents are paid 160 days of parental allowance. One of the parents can transfer a maximum of 63 parental allowance days to the other if they wish, and there is a 40-day allowance period in the final stages of pregnancy.
Midsummer’s Eve will be celebrated on a boat in Helsinki on June 24, 2022. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua)
There will be six per diem days per week, and the total number of per diem days for parents is more than 14 months.
Parents can use their parental allowance days until the child turns two years old. Daily allowance days can be used in several parts, and employed parents have the right to divide the leave into four parts. Only pregnancy allowance days should be used in one continuous period, starting 14-30 days before the estimated date of birth.
These new parental leaves mainly apply to parents expecting a child on or after 4 September 2022.
Previously, family leave consisted of the mother’s 105 working day maternity leave period, which began before the estimated date of birth of the child. Fathers had a paternity allowance period of 54 working days, while the parental allowance period of 158 working days can be taken by either parent or divided between the parents.
People bask in the sun on the steps of the Cathedral in Helsinki, 16 March 2022. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua)■