Extension of paternity leave

Good Practice

Co-responsibility

In October 2018, the Buenos Aires City Legislature unanimously approved a bill that changed the leave system for its employees. The number of days of leave for parents or the other progenitor in the case of teachers, health professionals, and central government employees is increased, while this right is extended to cases of adoption.

Autonomous City of Buenos Aires

Argentina

Local policy

POLICY OBJECTIVE

The extension of paternity leave, together with its application in cases of adoption, contributes to policies that aim to redistribute the time devoted to caregiving between men and women.

The main objectives are:

Promote a care model that equalises responsibilities between men and
women.
Expand rights for the other parent.
Promote the integration and continuity of women in the workforce.
Incorporate a gender perspective.
Promote the adoption of siblings and older children.
Contribute to child development.

CONTEXT

The extension of paternity leave to 15 days for non-pregnant persons is an innovation in terms of leave, given that in Argentina, employment contract legislation establishes a maximum of two days of leave for fathers.

POLICY DESCRIPTION

The new policy of leaves involves:

Exclusive leave for the non-gestational parent: Leave for the birth of a child is extended from 10 or 12 consecutive days (depending on rank) to 15 consecutive
days. It includes 120 days of unpaid leave, which is non-transferable. There is also a new paid leave of 30 consecutive days, which can be taken during the first year of the child’s life. Both measures apply in the case of adoption, where there is also an increasing number of days depending on the number of children and
adolescents adopted and their age.
In the case of leave for the pregnant person: The pregnant person is given the option of transferring the last 30 days of their paid maternity leave to the non gestational person if they are also a City employee.
At the same time, leave for gender-based violence is created for the Hospital
Professional Career, applicable to health professionals, which was already provided for in the general hierarchy, teachers, and the police.

KEY ASPECTS

The new leaves policy is innovative since the legislation no longer imposes childcare responsibilities on women and allows the family group to decide how to distribute leave days following the birth of a child. Women working in both the government and the private sector are now able to return to their jobs, with the other parent employed by the government assuming childcare responsibilities (with or without pay).

RESULTS

All personnel from the Government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires benefits from this measure.

Policy's Website

Maria Victoria

Eizaguirre

Advisor

dgmujergcba@gmail.com