Progress made on paternity leave for self-employed

Paid parental leave for self-employed fathers in Belgium has moved a step closer to becoming a reality.

The federal parliament's economy committee has unanimously approved a bill first put forward by Ecolo MP Gilles Vanden Burre, after the government gave its backing.

The law aims to put a stop to the different treatment of employed and self-employed fathers when a child is born.

It means self-employed men will be eligible for 10 days of paid paternity leave, which is voluntary and can be taken in 20 half-day chunks any time in the four months after birth.

The bill also introduces paid time-off for the self-employed - both men and women - to deal with unforeseen family circumstances. The allowance is a maximum of eight days and includes entitlement to 15 free service vouchers to pay for home help.