U Spanish The government on Tuesday passed a new Family Law that extends existing benefits to same-sex couples and adds new childcare allowances for everyone.
The project, which is estimated to cost 700 million euros per year, will still have to face its final examination in Parliament, but is destined to be instrumental for British families living in Spain.
“I think it’s great that families are getting more money for childcare,” said Michelle Baker, a British mother of five who runs a Facebook page in Benidorm. the newspaper.
“When it comes to giving time to care for their loved ones, I think the government should pay, not the employers. I feel that some people could benefit from the gesture.”
Government spokesperson Isabel Rodríguez said: “What this law seeks is to guarantee the full legal recognition of all types of families through the various social services.”
The text revolves around four fundamental pillars: the extension of social protection to families, the right to reconciliation, the recognition of different types of family and the care of the rights of children and adolescents.
For example, it is estimated that 300,000 single-parent families with two children can access the same benefits as large families, such as facilities to receive a scholarship, reduced fees or discounts on public transport.
The Government has defended that the new law seeks to support families who are most in need. We no longer speak of “large families”, but of “greater needs for parental support”.
In addition to families with three or more children, the new types of unions could receive tax benefits and other aid that until now were reserved for large families.
Now, when a child or a parent has a disability or single parents with two children, they can access this new help.
At the same time, the existing “special category” for families with five children is now reduced to four descendants. This includes families with three children in case of multiple births, instead of four as until now, and those who have three children and a low income.
READ MORE: Air fryers are down to their lowest ever price on Amazon – up to £100 off Ninja
For single-parent families, the law provides a “social, legal and economic protection that meets their specific needs”.
The law creates three new paid leaves for the worker for a total of nine days a year, while maintaining the existing two days in case of death of a family member.
Five days for “accident or serious illness or surgical intervention without hospitalization requiring rest” either for the spouse, in-laws or second-degree relatives (grandparents, grandchildren or siblings) or affinity. The novelty is that every cohabitant is included.
Another four days for “force majeure” when it is necessary for “urgent and unforeseeable family reasons” related to cases of illness or accidents. These can be enjoyed for hours.
In addition, there will be a new parental leave to which families will have access until the age of their children eight years, which in 2023 will be six weeks and in 2024 will increase to eight. Parents can use it “continuously or discontinuously”, both “full-time or part-time in accordance with the regulations”. The question until this Tuesday was whether it should be paid, as stated in the European directive, or not.
Parents also have the right to request a leave for a maximum period of three years to take care of their children or close relatives, if there are no relatives who can take care of them.