MPs voted to immediately proceed to the second reading of the government bill, which introduces additional leave for parents of premature babies. The application was submitted by the Confederation.
The first reading of the bill was held in the Sejm last week. All parliamentary clubs then declared their support for him. Confederation submitted a motion to proceed to the second reading of the bill without referring it to the committee.
Parliament in favor of additional leave for parents of premature babies
253 MPs voted in favor of immediately proceeding to the second reading of the government bill, none were against and 155 abstained. Thus, the Sejm proceeded to the second reading.
According to applicable regulations, parents of prematurely born children have the same rights as those whose children were born at term (after the 37th week of pregnancy). This means, among others: the need to start maternity leave at the time of delivery and the possibility of terminating it after eight weeks.
The draft amendment to the Labor Code proposes extending maternity leave for parents of premature babies. For parents of children born before the 28th week of pregnancy or those who weighed less than 1,000 g at birth, this will be a maximum of 15 weeks. For parents of children born before the 36th week of pregnancy or born at term but requiring hospitalization – a maximum of eight weeks. The leave is to be granted to mothers or fathers, as well as legal guardians, foster parents or adoptive parents.
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