The bill introducing new measures in support of the family, motherhood and the birth rate will be discussed again by the Grand and General Council (Consiglio Grande e Generale) and given final approval in September. This was confirmed by the Secretary of State for Justice with responsibility for the Family, Stefano Canti, responding to appeals made in recent days by trade unions and a group of new mothers.
In a statement, Canti confirmed that the measure will be placed on the agenda of the Council’s next session.
“The bill ‘Amendments to Law No. 129 of 14 September 2022 and introduction of new measures in support of the family, motherhood and the birth rate’ will receive final approval in September,” the Secretary of State said, adding that he will request it be placed on the agenda for the next sitting of the Grand and General Council.
The Secretary also noted that the bill has already completed its review stage in the IV Permanent Council Commission, where it was approved during the sessions of 28 April and 7-8 May, before being supplemented with a series of amendments agreed with trade unions and the majority parties.
Among the main new provisions in the bill is the revamped parental leave scheme, which can now be taken until the child’s eighteenth month. The measure provides for an allowance equal to 80% of net daily pay, with a minimum of 1,500 euros per month, for the first three months; 40%, with a minimum of 1,000 euros, until the child turns one; and then 20%, with a minimum of 500 euros per month, up to the eighteenth month.
The statement also addresses the issue of retroactivity, which has been at the heart of the new mothers’ requests.
According to the statement, those who “meet the requirements to access the measure at the time the law comes into force” will be able to benefit from the new provisions.
The bill also includes a change concerning what was formerly known as post-partum leave, now referred to as parental leave. Thanks to an amendment put forward by Libera and shared by the majority, the leave period will now count towards career progression even for those who have already taken it in the past.
The statement also stresses that the measure aims both to strengthen support for motherhood and to counter the decline in the birth rate.
The statement concludes by emphasizing that “the institutions are aware of the everyday difficulties facing young families,” and reaffirms the commitment to continue dialogue with social partners and citizens in order to develop policies that support the balance between family and work, while promoting the sustainability and wellbeing of the community.
