New Parental Leave Start Delayed to July 2026

The Ministry of Health has officially announced a delay in the implementation of the new birth leave policy. The start date has been pushed back to July 2026. This decision comes shortly after high-level government discussions regarding the timeline of the measure.

In mid-December, the Minister Delegate responsible for Gender Equality had expressed a desire for a swift implementation. The specific reasons for the delay were not detailed in the announcement, but the new date sets a clear target for the administration. This delay affects the expected timeline for families awaiting this new benefit.

The Ministry of Health confirmed the postponement of the birth leave implementation. The new effective date is set for July 2026. This represents a significant shift from earlier expectations regarding the policy's launch.

The announcement follows recent statements made in mid-December. At that time, the Minister Delegate charged with Gender Equality indicated a commitment to a rapid deployment. The specific administrative or legislative hurdles necessitating this delay have not been publicly detailed.

Just weeks prior to this announcement, the government appeared optimistic about the timeline. In mid-December, the Minister Delegate for Gender Equality addressed the issue. She promised a deployment of the new leave policy "as soon as possible".

This previous commitment raised expectations for an earlier rollout. The shift to a July 2026 start date suggests that logistical or budgetary preparations are taking longer than initially anticipated. Stakeholders and future beneficiaries had been hoping for a quicker implementation based on those earlier remarks.

The delay impacts the planning of many families expecting children in the first half of 2026. Those expecting to utilize the birth leave prior to July will now have to rely on existing parental leave frameworks. The Ministry of Health has not yet released details regarding transitional measures for those affected by the shift in dates.

While the policy remains a key initiative for the government, the postponement creates a period of uncertainty. The administration now has until mid-2026 to finalize the operational details of the new leave system.

The Ministry of Health has set a firm date for the new birth leave, delaying the start to July 2026. This follows a period of optimism regarding the policy's speed, highlighted by the Minister Delegate's recent comments. As the new date approaches, further details regarding the implementation and eligibility are expected to be released.