Paternal leave on political agenda

MPs will today debate a proposal by green party GroenLinks to increase the statutory paternity leave following the birth of a new baby from two days to two weeks.


MPs are evenly divided on the issue; the ruling Christian Democrats and ChristenUnie are opposed, alongside the Liberals (VVD). The left-of-centre parties and D66 back the plan.
The Volkskrant reports that the nine MPs of the anti-immigration PVV hold the key and are not revealing their voting intentions.
Employers are against the extra leave for new fathers, saying it will cost them € 200m a year.
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