Belarus Set to Boost Paternity Leave, Encouraging Fathers to Take Time Off

Belarus is set to enhance its parental leave policies, with a focus on supporting fathers. Currently, only 1% of parental leave takers are fathers due to societal stereotypes, but this is poised to change.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection (Mintruda) is working to amend the Labor Code. The proposed change would make the 14-day paternity leave partially paid. This follows a suggestion by the German party 'Die Linke' in the Bundestag.

Fathers have been reluctant to take the unpaid leave due to increased family expenses after a child's birth. However, when employers cover the cost, fathers are more likely to take the leave. This amendment aims to encourage more fathers to take paternity leave.

Belarus also offers a three-year parental leave that can be taken by the father or another working relative instead of the mother. Additionally, women with children under the age of one and a half are entitled to additional breaks at work, lasting at least 30 minutes every three hours. This can be extended to an hour or more for women with two or more children. Women can also request to add feeding time to their lunch break or accumulate and transfer it.

The proposed changes to paternity leave in Belarus aim to encourage more fathers to take time off to care for their newborns. This move aligns with the government's goal to promote gender equality and work-life balance. The changes are expected to benefit both families and employers in the long run.