Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk has introduced a draft law granting parents of children with chronic and oncological illnesses 60 additional days of paid care leave.
Current Limitations of Care Allowances
The Minister explained that current regulations provide an identical care allowance period for all parents, regardless of the child’s health condition. This is limited to 60 days per year for children under 14 and 14 days for those over 14, a duration intended for common, temporary infections rather than long-term medical battles.
Proposed Legislative Changes
The Ministry has submitted a draft law to the government legislative process to provide an additional 60 days of leave specifically for parents of children with serious, chronic, or oncological conditions. The Minister emphasized that the presence of a loving parent is a critical component of a child’s recovery alongside medical treatment.
Scope and Implementation
The extended allowance will apply to children up to 18 years of age. Rather than implementing a fixed list of eligible illnesses, the Ministry will rely on the expertise of attending physicians to determine if a condition meets the criteria for chronic status. The cost of this expansion is estimated at 100 million zlotys.
Support for Families in Crisis
The total allowance of 120 days is intended to provide meaningful support to families during prolonged diagnostic or treatment periods. During the press conference, advocates highlighted the need for a system that prioritizes empathy and social responsibility over rigid procedures, ensuring parents are not forced to choose between employment and fighting for their child’s life.