Advertisement

Parliament approves leave benefits for grandparents

DDP/The Local
DDP/The Local - [email protected]
Parliament approves leave benefits for grandparents
Photo: DPA

German grandparents will now be able to apply for leave from work to care for their newborn grandchildren, according to a new law ratified by parliament late on Thursday evening.

Advertisement

The law will compensate grandparents for caring for their children’s newborns in certain situations, such as when young parents need at least two more years to complete their education. This and other situations where the parents can prove they need their own parents to support them in raising their children will be considered for the government benefits.

The new law is subject to approval by the upper house of parliament, the Bundesrat, in December.

Germany has one of Europe’s lowest birthrates, but the German Family Ministry has reported that it increased slightly to 1.4 children per woman last year to reach its highest level in 17 years. Chancellor Angela Merkel has named the shrinking population as one of the country's most pressing problems and pledged to make it easier for parents to combine a career and having children.

Nearly one-fifth of German fathers have taken advantage of the country’s parental leave benefits, which allow them to stay home on two-thirds of their pay for a year.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also