Paternity leave rights extended, friends get unpaid leave to assist

Social Affairs Minister Lodewijk Asscher has sent Parliament legislation to arrange a new regulation that would see new fathers receive guaranteed paternity leave if the mother dies during childbirth. Mothers with premature babies will also receive 10 weeks to take care of the child at home, Elsevier reports. Another point in Asscher's plan is to arrange for employees to get leave rights to take care of a sick friend or acquaintance. The current law states that leave rights are only granted to take care of a sick partner, parent or child. The Minister's plans for the extension of leave rights, which Asscher announced earlier this year, should secure a system for employees that allows them to balance work and care better.