CMNT_TITLE

Repetition

Articles 3 and 4 of the Convention. National policy, non-discrimination, leaves and benefits. Legislative developments. The Committee notes with interest the substantial amendments to the Parental Protection and Family Benefits Act in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018, which have the objective of transposing European legislation, including Council Directive 2010/18/EU, and of facilitating a more equal distribution of parental protection and childcare responsibilities between both parents. The Committee welcomes the various entitlements provided under the Act, including longer paternity leave, paternity leave benefit, parental leave for both parents, parental leave benefits, the possibility of reduction from full-time to part-time work, and other family and child support allowances and assistance. The Committee also notes the adoption of the Protection against Discrimination Act 2016 which prohibits discrimination on the basis of a number of specified grounds and on the basis of “any other personal circumstance”, and which covers all areas of social life, including employment. It further notes that explanatory information about the 2016 Act on the official website of the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, indicates that an example of “any other personal circumstance” could be “parental or other family status”. The Committee notes the adoption on 20 June 2019 of EU Directive 2019/1158 on work–life balance for parents and carers, repealing Council Directive 2010/18/EU on parental leave. Noting the recent adoption of EU Directive 2019/1158 on work–life balance, the Committee asks the Government to provide information on: (i) the steps taken to transpose it into its national legislation; (ii) the manner in which the Parental Protection and Family Benefits Act of 2014, as amended, has been implemented in practice by both men and women taking up the various entitlements provided under the Act; (iii) the impact of this Act on any increase in the use of these measures by men; and (iv) the manner in which the Protection against Discrimination Act 2016 has been implemented to promote application of the Convention with respect to non-discrimination in employment of persons with family responsibilities, including any action taken under the office of the Advocate of the Principle of Equality.