Mandatory Equal Parental Leave Act of 2023 - Sveria

Rationale

This change ensures equal caregiving, boosts child development, and reduces gender inequality by guaranteeing dedicated bonding time for both parents.

Proposed Changes

	Law	Previous		Proposed
1	Parental Leave Policy	Shared, non-transferable parental leave (use-it-or-lose-it for each parent)		Mandatory one-year leave for both parents; employers may not contact them

1

Parental Leave Policy

Previous law

Shared, non-transferable parental leave (use-it-or-lose-it for each parent)

Mandatory one-year leave for both parents; employers may not contact them

Proposer

Party

Workers Democratic Alliance

The Workers Democratic Alliance stands for working people, economic democracy, strong public services, fair taxation, workers’ rights, and equal opportunity. We believe democracy should extend beyond the ballot box and into the workplace, economy, and communities we call home.

Core pillars

Helena Donovan

Minister of Welfare and State Pension · Age 36

25,016 social followers

Raised on the factory floor and schooled in the rough-and-tumble of trade negotiations, Helena Donovan leverages her insider-outsider connections to broker deals that actually improve workers’ lives.

⚖️ Pragmatist 🏙️ Street Smart 🔗 Well Connected 🔨 Working Class Background

Timeline

Draft

20 October 2023
Vote Open

5 November 2023
Vote Closed

4 January 2024
Became Law

4 January 2024

Vote tally

Live tally across each chamber. Weighted by seats held.

National Parliament

Passed

185Yes 164No 0Not voted 200 seats

For: 185 / 200 seats (92.5%)

Against: 164 · Abstained: 0 · Not voted: 0

50.1% of those voting must vote in favour (actual = 53.0%)

Party	Seats	Vote	Reason
National Development	164	No	We do not support the proposal because, if a parent does not wish to stay at home, they must be allowed the right to decide whether to stay at home with their child or go to work.
Sveria Centre	0	No	We have to vote NO, however we do support the idea that parents should get parental leave, we have to stand with ND in the fact that parents should have the full freedom to choose how they want to take their time off
Sveria Socialists United	185	Yes	The SSU backs the SWC in adding this additional protection, so parents can take the time to relax and take care of their newborns without being trapped into work. This also means that men will be able to take care of their children without having to worry about their jobs as well, improving the role of fathers in taking care of children as much as mothers.
Workers Democratic Alliance Proposer	0	Yes	No reason given

Union Parliament

Passed

382Yes 140No 178Not voted 700 seats

For: 382 / 700 seats (54.6%)

Against: 140 · Abstained: 0 · Not voted: 178

50.1% of those voting must vote in favour (actual = 73.2%)

Party	Seats	Vote	Reason
National Development	61	No	We do not support the proposal because, if a parent does not wish to stay at home, they must be allowed the right to decide whether to stay at home with their child or go to work.
Sveria Centre	79	No	We have to vote NO, however we do support the idea that parents should get parental leave, we have to stand with ND in the fact that parents should have the full freedom to choose how they want to take their time off
Sveria Socialists United	95	Yes	The SSU backs the SWC in adding this additional protection, so parents can take the time to relax and take care of their newborns without being trapped into work. This also means that men will be able to take care of their children without having to worry about their jobs as well, improving the role of fathers in taking care of children as much as mothers.
Workers Democratic Alliance Proposer	287	Yes	No reason given

Voting record

Every vote must state a public reason. Most recent first.

Sveria Centre

Voted Nov. 6, 2023

No Changed vote

“We have to vote NO, however we do support the idea that parents should get parental leave, we have to stand with ND in the fact that parents should have the full freedom to choose how they want to take their time off”

Sveria Centre

Voted Nov. 6, 2023

Abstain

“We have to abstain, however we do support the idea that parents should get parental leave, we have to stand with ND in the fact that parents should have the full freedom to choose.”

National Development

Voted Nov. 5, 2023

No

“We do not support the proposal because, if a parent does not wish to stay at home, they must be allowed the right to decide whether to stay at home with their child or go to work.”

Sveria Socialists United

Voted Nov. 5, 2023

Yes

“The SSU backs the SWC in adding this additional protection, so parents can take the time to relax and take care of their newborns without being trapped into work. This also means that men will be able to take care of their children without having to worry about their jobs as well, improving the role of fathers in taking care of children as much as mothers.”