Deputy PM wants to increase paternity leave

If it is up to Lodewijk Asscher, Deputy Prime Minister and Minsiter of Social Affairs and Employment, fathers of newborn babies in the Netherlands would get muchlonger paternity leave. He believes the Netherlands needs a better balance between private life and work, he said to BNR.

Asscher was responding to advice from the social-economic council SER on reconciliating work, study and care. Under Asscher as Minister, paternity leave for new fathers increased from two days to five days. But according to Asscher, this is too short. "But I have to say quite honestly that I think more is needed to really make the Netherlands a modern country where work and private life is a normal combination", he said to the broadcaster.

The SER recommends a year of unpaid leave for new mothers and fathers. "There's something in that" Asscher said. "The Netherlands is one of the countries where our children is most quickly sent to daycare. It is emotionally very difficult. That has to do with the fact that we do it so early. If you give more leave in the first year, for both fathers and mothers, then I think afterwards the division of work and care between both partners is easier and you can build a good relationship with your child."