Paid maternity leave extended to one year

The Polish government has concluded an extension of the maternity leave to one year. Mothers and Fathers of children, who have been born starting from this year or who will be born, can make use of one year paid holidays, provided that both parents are working. In the first six months they receive 100% of their net salary, and in the months thereafter 60%.

The funding of the extended maternity leave will be covered to a large extent by governmental funds. The extension of the maternity leave stays in crass contrast to the hitherto sociopolitical achievements of the Polish state in the children and family policy. For example the governmental child allowance for children up to 5 years amounts to a meager PLN 77 and starting from 5 years up to 17 years to PLN 106 (converted roughly EUR 25).

Source: Economic market Poland, Issue 198, 05/2013