During a parliamentary hearing on the State Budget for 2026, Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho addressed questions regarding breastfeeding support measures. She firmly rejected claims that proposed changes would harm women’s rights, asserting that they align with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
The government’s proposal, currently under discussion in Social Dialogue, suggests capping work exemption at two years for breastfeeding. Current laws permit this period to extend indefinitely “as long as breastfeeding lasts,” with no set maximum duration.
“By age two, children are not exclusively breastfed, so breastfeeding in the morning and evening probably won’t interfere with work schedules, which is the only issue here,” argued the Minister of Labor, Solidarity, and Social Security.
Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho emphasized that “data indicates” mothers often face disadvantages at work due to rights exclusively afforded to mothers and not fathers.
“Therefore, we must find the right balance,” she stated, highlighting that this concern applies to both breastfeeding leave and the initial parental leave proposals.
Regarding this, Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho proposed extending parental leave up to six months (180 days) if, after the mandatory 120 days, both parents opt for an additional 60 days shared leave.
“We aim to balance things, as the data demands,” she asserted.
She noted that in 2025, 17,660 mothers took the initial 120-day parental leave, compared to 4,740 fathers. Extended parental leave was requested by 12,290 women and 2,000 men.
“Considering this, we must positively encourage fathers’ roles,” Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho stressed.
Responding to data presented by Livre party deputy Isabel Mendes Lopes on pregnant women being fired, the minister stated, “They are dismissed unlawfully because employers anticipate rights not enjoyed by fathers.”
“Therefore, we must achieve some equivalence,” she argued, noting that “the most developed European countries in this area have completely equal quotas for both parents.”
The Budget proposal for 2026 will be debated and voted on in its entirety between October 27 and 28. The final global vote is set for November 27, following a detailed debate process.
