The Ecologists 'Movement-Citizens' Cooperation submitted a proposal for a law to grant the right to a maternity leave holder to choose whether to take maternity leave for a longer period of time than provided by the current law, provided that this period does not exceed 52 weeks. The proposal was discussed in the Labor Committee.
The President of the Ecologists, rapporteur of the proposal, Charalambos Theopemptou stated that the extension of the license will not be borne by the Social Insurance Fund and there will be no additional costs and this is ensured by the 2nd draft law submitted.
Mr. Theopemptou said the bill aims to ensure that young mothers who have no help or care for their children can extend their maternity leave for a few weeks, as the state itself does not provide any assistance.
We abandoned, he said, the young couples, we have no infrastructure and they run to grandparents to take care of their children.
He said that because concerns were heard about the Social Security Fund, a draft law was submitted so that it would not be affected and there would be no problems.
Mr. Theopemptou explained that the bill is separate from the law on parental leave and now the right to extend maternity leave is institutionalized without the risk of dismissal.
Andreas Kafkalias, Chairman of the Labor Committee stated that the proposals submitted by the Ecologists for the protection of motherhood, are proposals with the right orientation. He stated that during the discussion it was agreed that these should be discussed in the labor advisory body and that they should receive further legal elaboration.
Thus, he said, there was a conclusion that more space and time should be given for the discussion to take place and these will be resubmitted for discussion in 1-2 months.
From DISY, Fotini Tsiridou said that the state has taken measures to help young parents and to balance work with personal life.
He also said that the Commission was told that the state would submit a bill in August that would allow for paid parental leave of 18 weeks up to the age of 8.
On behalf of EDEK, Andreas Apostolou said that the proposals improve the framework of social permits and his party is positive. He also stressed that a more detailed and comprehensive discussion should be held to improve the support framework for young parents by setting up daycare centers and kindergartens at great cost, expanding the institution of all-day school and more. He said that the discussion should open with submissions of the plans from the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Welfare.
Sotiris Ioannou of ELAM stated that for his party the demographic is the biggest problem facing the place and the draft law of the Ecologists is in the direction of supporting the demographic. He also said that there should be infrastructure for child care and support for young couples.
Regarding the concerns for the viability of the TKA, he said that "when the state returns the 9,5 billion it received from the Fund, then this will be both sustainable and surplus."
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