Expert committee calls for 38 weeks parental leave
The average age of women giving birth in Switzerland is around 32.
Keystone
A government advisory body recommends the introduction of paternity leave and a higher maternity leave allowance than what is currently granted to new parents.
Such leave would be paid at 80% of salary and could be taken within three years of the child’s birth.
Elisabeth Zemp, who directed the research, vigorously defended this more generous formula in an interview with Le Matin Dimanche newspaper.
“Currently, half of OECD countries offer maternity or parental leave of at least 43 weeks.” And she adds that none of the countries that introduced them have given up.
The members of the commission base their recommendations on the findings of 140 scientific studies published between 2010 and 2017.
New mothers in Switzerland are currently entitled to a minimum 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, recuping up to 80% of their income.
This benefit is not without conditions. Women need to have been insured at least nine months prior to the birth of a baby and worked at least five months during their pregnancy.
They must still be employed at the time of birth or be claiming unemployment, sickness, accident or disability benefits.
Switzerland has no statutory paternity leave.
Popular Stories
More
Climate solutions
Switzerland turns train tracks into solar power plants
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
Swiss parliament rejects national microchipping scheme for cats
This content was published on
Switzerland should not introduce a nationwide mandatory microchip scheme for cats. On Tuesday, the House of Representatives rejected such an idea by 108 votes to 80.
Sharp rise in reported cyber incidents in Switzerland
This content was published on
The number of reported cyber incidents and online threats in Switzerland rose sharply last year, according to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
Swiss National Bank ‘ready to consider’ negative interest rates
This content was published on
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is prepared to lower its key interest rate even further in the face of economic uncertainty, Chair Martin Schlegel said on Tuesday.
Toxic chemicals from car tyres found in fruit and vegetables in Switzerland
This content was published on
Tyre additives are transferred into the food chain, according to a new study in Switzerland. Further research is needed to establish the dangers for human health.
Swiss pensioner in court for feeding neighbour’s cat
This content was published on
A 68-year-old Swiss woman is in court in Zurich on Tuesday, accused of systematically feeding her neighbour's cat "Leo" - a criminal offence in Switzerland - so that the cat no longer wanted to go home.
SWISS flights to Tel Aviv remain suspended until May 11
This content was published on
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has cancelled all flights to and from the Israeli city of Tel Aviv until May 11 after a missile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels landed near the airport.
Ministers discuss Swiss-EU deal with Italy and Hungary
This content was published on
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis held talks on Monday with their respective counterparts from Italy and Hungary.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
UN urges Switzerland to improve gender equality
This content was published on
Deep-rooted patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes are impeding gender equality in Switzerland, a United Nations committee has declared.
This content was published on
Switzerland has yet to offer any statutory paid father’s leave, despite ten attempts in parliament in as many years. One proposal after another has failed as parliamentarians baulk at the prospect of adding another charge to the public purse. In the most insured nation on earth, the new proposal to insure for fatherhood has appealed…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.