Fathers will benefit from more time off with their newest family members when paternity leave is extended from 2 to 10 days starting in January 2018 Pexels

Fathers will benefit from more time off with their newest family members when paternity leave is extended from 2 to 10 days starting in January 2018 Pexels

The extension is one of a number of changes within the family leave reform bill 7060, which is expected to be passed before the end of the year, the government said in a statement published Monday.

At a meeting on 13 November, MPs considered two government amendments related to extending paternity leave from 2 to 10 days. It is expected that the law will make it, so this leave can be taken consecutively or at separate intervals over a two month period following the delivery of the child, pending an agreement with the father’s employer. In the absence of an agreement, the father will be granted the 10 days immediately following the birth. The Luxembourg State will reimburse 8 of the 10 days’ leave to the employer.

This leave also covers the adoption of a child aged under 16. MPs called for this law to be applicable to spouses within a couple of the same sex.

The second subject discussed was the extension of parental leave in the event of the death of a child of minor age, from 3 to 5 days.

MPs also spoke in favour of extending leave for single parents when a child falls sick. Employment minister Nicolas Schmit said however that a solution would not be included in this bill, calling instead for a pragmatic solution such as that currently used, where leave for family reasons is granted to another household member (such as a new spouse) who has no biological link to the child. Discussions around the bill are expected to continue on Wednesday.