Citizens' initiative Non-partisan alliance prepares a family time initiative

A non-partisan alliance is relaunching the call for family leave and is planning a federal popular initiative on the subject. They are talking about up to 18 weeks of family time for mothers and fathers. The initiative is to be launched in spring 2025.

The alliance behind the plans includes representatives from the center, Greens and GLP, the employee umbrella organization Travail Suisse and the non-partisan women's umbrella organization Alliance F. They cite the promotion of employment, the elimination of the shortage of skilled workers and a higher birth rate as their goals.

The number of children per woman is at a record low of 1.3, the Alliance wrote in its press release on Thursday. Because parenthood is a shared responsibility, fair and equal family time for fathers and mothers is necessary.

The call for nationwide parental leave has been around for years. In 2020, voters approved two weeks of paternity leave. Working mothers receive maternity pay for 14 weeks.

SDA