On Wednesday, the Minister of Labour Georges Engel and Minister of Family Corinne Cahen presented a new bill offering ten days' leave to new parents in same-sex relationships, as well as self-employed parents.

As it stands, same-sex couples can only have their children acknowledged through adoption. However, this is all set to change with the new law, which will recognise same-sex couples as parents from the child's birth. This will then enable the second parent to benefit from paternity leave, which can be negotiated with their employer.

The new bill also envisions changes for parental leave, ensuring employers will have to issue written reasons for refusing flexible parental leave requests in future. Up until this point, employers were able to get away with refusing flexi-time requests in oral discussions. In addition, employers will have to propose alternatives if they refuse a second parental leave request. If employers and employees cannot come to an agreement on flexible leave, they will automatically have to honour the full six-month period.

The ministers also announced that in the future, carer's leave, the 5 day leave of absence to care for an ill family member, will be expanded to more family members.

The bill will take into account objectives set by the government's coalition agreement, as well as EU directives on work-life balance.

RTL

© Domingos Oliveira / RTL