From January first, 2019, the new leave provisions under the Employment Relations (Budget Amendment) Act 2018 will take effect.

These are Family Care Leave and Parental Leave which includes Paternity Leave and the increase in Maternity Leave days.

Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Jone Usamate says the Family Care Leave is taken by workers who wish to provide care and support to members of the worker’s immediate family or a member of the worker’s household.

He clarifies that the worker is entitled to Family Care Leave of not less than 5 working days during each year of service. Family Care Leave must not be accumulated and unused Family Care Leave will automatically lapse in the next year.

Usamate added that the Family Care Leave is applicable to workers that have completed more than 3 months continuous service with the same employer.

For Paternity Leave, Usamate says a worker is entitled to not less than 5 working days, emphasizing that taking time out of paid work to care for a child is part of the usual course of life and work for parents, and promotes a balance between work and family life.

Maternity Leave from next year will increase from 84 days to 98 days.