Lithuanian lawmakers propose new parental leave benefits

Legislative proposals are moving through the Lithuanian Seimas aimed at increasing financial support for parents and addressing gaps in the current parental leave system.

Social Democrat MP Darius Razmislevičius has proposed a new benefit for parents who utilize the non-transferable two-month childcare leave period. He argues the current system acts as a financial penalty for families, as fathers often cannot take the leave due to work constraints or financial reasons, forcing mothers to take unpaid leave to care for children under age two. The proposal suggests allowing both parents to receive benefits simultaneously if they are actively sharing childcare.

Additionally, there are plans to boost income stability for new parents to combat demographic challenges. Proposed measures include paying 100 percent of previous earnings during pregnancy and childbirth leave. For childcare benefits, if a parent chooses a 1.5-year period, payments would increase from 60 to 80 percent of earnings. If the period extends to two years, the first year would provide 65 percent of earnings. MP Aušrinė Norkienė noted that the goal is to ensure family income remains stable following the birth of a child.