A broad alliance of political parties has launched a new referendum, demanding a massive expansion of maternity and paternity leave in Switzerland. Supporters argue the change would help address the country’s worker shortage and slowing birth rate, while opponents fear the extra costs.

New proposal to expand maternity and paternity leave in Switzerland

In a statement released on November 28, the Swiss Employees’ Association and Alliance F, along with the Green, Green Liberal, Centre and Evangelical People’s Parties, announced a new referendum calling for the expansion of parental leave. The alliance will begin collecting signatures for the “Family Time” popular initiative next spring.

Under the current system, mothers are entitled to at least 14 weeks of paid maternity leave following the birth of their child, while fathers or the partner of the mother are given two weeks of paternity or parental leave. Swiss cantons can choose whether to offer parents any more time off - Geneva, for example, voted in June 2023 to expand total leave time to 24 weeks, split between the two parents.

While 14 to 16 weeks of maternity leave is standard across most of Europe, Switzerland is one of the nations on the continent which doesn't have an extensive system of parental leave. For example, parents in Italy are given five months of paid absence following the birth of their child, while parental leave in Germany allows couples to take up to three years of leave per child per parent.

If approved, the referendum would grant 18 weeks of parental leave for both parents across Switzerland. The 18 weeks would only be able to overlap by four weeks, meaning each newborn child would be given at least 32 weeks of care from at least one parent. Those on the lowest salaries would receive 100 percent of their wages during the period of leave, while the rest would receive 80 percent.

Swiss worker shortage and birth rate the catalyst for expanded leave

The referendum is seen as a response to the rapidly declining number of births in Switzerland. Data from the Federal Statistical Office reveals that the birth rate has fallen to 1,3 children per woman, well below the replacement rate. The alliance hopes that by granting more leave, having a child will be more feasible for couples.

"Parents shoulder a lot in this country. We need generational work that offers them good conditions so that they can support society as a whole," Centre Party National Councillor Dominik Blunschy told 20 Minuten. Green Party president Lisa Mazzone added that by giving men less leave, the current “legislation promotes stereotypical roles and does not do justice to social reality.”

Supporters also believe that the change would help address Switzerland’s ongoing worker shortage. Along with providing more children who will eventually fill jobs, they argue that the leave will mean that mothers and fathers will be able to rejoin the workforce full-time, rather than spending months working part-time to balance caring for a young child. Indeed, a study from Ecoplan found that the changes would add 2.500 full-time workers every year.

Opponents fear the cost of expanded leave for Swiss companies

The idea was less well-received among the Swiss Employers’ Association, which told 20 Minuten that while it will wait to see the proposal in its entirety, "In principle, 'parental leave' is only a short-term solution to the real challenge: namely the compatibility of work and family." They argued that “long-term measures” like flexible working and subsidised childcare services should be prioritised instead.

Already, both FDP. The Liberals and the Swiss People’s Party say they will oppose the expanded leave. “[It’s] clearly excessive,” noted FDP National Councillor Andri Silberschmidt, adding that the 18 weeks of leave would be “a huge financial and personnel burden” for Swiss companies. He also isn’t convinced that the measure would coax parents into working more.

SVP National Councillor Rémy Wyssmann feared that the generous leave scheme would tempt companies into moving overseas. “Anyone who wants to work less is welcome to do so, but please not at the expense of others,” he concluded.