National councils question 14 weeks of maternity leave

Ends are currently underway to introduce parental leave in Switzerland. But instead of expansion, the responsible commission now prefers flexibility. Not only left are outraged.

At first glance, this looks like a revolution: Switzerland should introduce parental leave. As before, the National Council’s Social Commission decided that of the Council of States. Only: An expansion of the days off for freshly baked parents should not go hand in hand in Switzerland. Instead, the Commission wants « a pragmatic, permanent and politically majority -capable solution ».

Specifically, the 14 weeks of maternity leave and the 2 -week paternity vacation should be distributed more flexibly. That no longer sounds like revolution. Rather, it is a kind of Trojan horse for the supporters of an expanded parental leave that, in fact, brings a breakdown.

The Commission scratches primarily on the legally prescribed maternity leave. From then on, it would be conceivable that the mother will receive less professional break after birth than the previous 3.5 months. For the majority in the Commission, the model of “equality of the sexes” and the “social developments” is to be taken into account.

Initiative demands significantly more

The idea with the split 16 weeks of father and maternity leave came from the series of the FDP. With 15 to 9 votes, the decision was made clear in this direction. The number of votes in favor corresponds to the representatives of SP, Greens and GLP in the Commission.

The protest in the inferior is loud and hard. Green President Lisa Mazzone accuses the national councilors to break a taboo. This threatens the protection of mothers after birth. « This is a severe attack on the health of mother and child and a scandalous step backwards. » Mazzone is one of the heads behind the family time initiative that was launched in early April. She demands 18 weeks for mother and father.

« The proposal of the majority of commission is the idea of ​​parental leave, » criticizes GLP National Councilor Patrick Häß. « For me, that is two steps back instead of a step forward. » SP national councilor Barbara Gysi also speaks of an “absolute no-go” to touch maternity leave for 14 weeks. « It takes an expansion – but not at the expense of the mothers. »

« We want to give parents more flexibility »

FDP National Councilor Andri Silberschmidt, just becoming a dad himself, defends itself against the accusation of attacking maternity leave. « We just want to give parents more flexibility. » The parents should not be able to divide the family time completely in the future. For health reasons, a vacation should be mandatory for at least eight weeks of vacation, the freely thinks.

The debate in the council was initiated by the canton of Geneva. The voting population of the Canton of Geneva said in the summer of 2023 for a parental leave of 24 weeks. But the Federal Council whipped down the canton: the solo run was not compatible with federal law. The National Council’s social commission now wants to offer a hand for such federal individuals. The cantons should be allowed to offer « more spacious » solutions.

It is still open whether the Commission of the Council of States or those of the National Council is drawn up. However, even more spacious variant is likely to have a difficult stand in the small chamber. In January, the relevant commission waived concrete recommendations, but there was also talk of a « pragmatic solution » that must be « financially portable ». Or as Commission President Damian Müller (FDP/LU) formulated: « In the end the whole thing has a price tag. »