The traffic light wants to give fathers two weeks of paid vacation after the birth of a child so that they can better bond with their offspring. But since companies already have enough to cope with in the crisis, Minister for Family Affairs Paus has postponed the project for a year.
Federal Family Minister Lisa Paus has announced that the planned regulation on so-called paternity leave will be anchored in law next year. "The two-week leave of absence after the birth is coming, not this year, but in 2024," the Greens politician told the newspapers of the Funke media group. The economic situation is currently difficult, especially for small and medium-sized companies. "That's why I want to get this important project on track next year," said Paus.
According to Paus, the two-week leave of absence after the birth should be laid down in the Maternity Protection Act. Parents must be supported in their wish for a partnership to share family work. Especially in the first time after the birth, it is important "that parents have time for each other and the baby," said the minister. This is also important "so that fathers can develop a close relationship with the child early on".
The Greens politician described the exemption as "another important building block for the compatibility of family and work". With their support, employers made an important contribution. The traffic light parties had agreed in the coalition agreement to legally allow two weeks of paid leave after the birth. With the proposed legislation, Germany is implementing an EU directive.
