Rejecting a direct response regarding the government’s willingness to withdraw measures such as changes to the breastfeeding exemption regime or the new proposal on bereavement leave, the minister emphasized that the priority is to listen to social partners.
“It is the moment for Social Dialogue to speak, not yet the parliament because there is no proposal of law,” the minister stated in a press conference following the Council of Ministers.
“There is a draft project that will go to Social Dialogue, and it will be the moment for them to speak. One thing I assure you: the labor reform that this Government wants to present, and which will be approved by this Government and its majority, will surely bring more flexibility, more appreciation of effective collective bargaining with the involvement of companies and representative unions,” he asserted.
“It will undoubtedly enhance essential aspects of youth access to the market, reduce market segmentation, reconcile family and professional life, and improve the position of women. A labor law introduced by this Government, or with its stamp, will be favorable to young people, women, and the balance between family and professional life,” he guaranteed.
In addressing criticisms and the potential rejection of measures in parliament, the minister reiterated the commitment to negotiation with social partners: “Everything else is anticipating Social Dialogue. I understand that others may not have a vocation, experience, or interest in Social Dialogue, but we believe in it strongly. It is the time for Social Dialogue, not a legal proposal yet; it will come and will be decided,” he emphasized.
These statements reinforce the position that Leitão Amaro already assumed during the Council of Ministers’ briefing, highlighting that this is “a labor reform package in favor of youth, women, and families.”
The draft project proposes to limit the breastfeeding exemption to the child’s first two years — currently without limit — and require a biannual medical certificate. Currently, certification is only needed when the exemption exceeds the child’s first year of life.
The Government also intends to eliminate the three days of justified absence due to gestational mourning, proposing to integrate this situation into the family assistance absence regime and leave for pregnancy interruption.
According to the current Labor Code, a mother can take three days of justified absence when not opting for leave due to pregnancy interruption, which allows for leave between 14 and 30 days.
