Expert committee calls for 38 weeks parental leave
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.
Swiss justice minister hopes EU reform will reduce irregular migration
This content was published on
The European Union’s (EU) New Pact on Migration and Asylum aims to curb irregular migration within Schengen, Justice Minister Beat Jans said on Tuesday.
Swiss electricity supply outlook positive despite uncertainties
This content was published on
Thanks to well-filled gas stores in Europe and increased availability of French nuclear power, the Swiss Federal Electricity Commission is optimistic.
Finance minister wants Swiss banks to hold more equity
This content was published on
Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter has repeated calls for banks and their holdings in subsidiaries abroad to hold more equity.
Telecoms sector kept Swiss competitions regulator busy in 2023
This content was published on
Last year, the Swiss Competition Commission (COMCO) conducted 27 investigations and initiated 17 preliminary investigations.
This content was published on
Although Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) achieved higher revenue at the start of the year, it suffered a dip in profits.
40,000 signatures against animal testing in Switzerland
This content was published on
Switzerland should do away with “restrictive” animal testing and should become a model for innovative, effective, and pain-free scientific research.
More than 45,000 signatures in favour of federal funding for UNRWA
This content was published on
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives (FAC) is expected to decide on the funding of the UNRWA at the beginning of the week.
This content was published on
At the end of January 2024, 6,881 men and women were behind bars in Switzerland. Almost 95% of all places were occupied, the highest number since 2014.
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.