Paternal leave to be extended to the self-employed, Abela says [Video]

State-funded paternity leave is being extended to self-employed fathers or the second parent, Robert Abela announced on Sunday morning.

His announcement came days after he announced 100 days of state-funded leave to self-employed parents undergoing IVF treatment.

Speaking in St Paul’s Bay, the prime minister also hinted at potential amendments to IVF legislation.  

Without giving much away, he suggested that despite important reforms introduced by his government, certain restrictions remain in place and need addressing because the law as it stands does not reach all couples.

In 2022 parliament enacted reforms allowing doctors to perform genetic testing on embryos and indefinitely freeze those carrying rare and severe diseases.  The law passed with only three MPs voting against. 

In announcing the extension of paternity leave, he said such initiatives were further steps in the government’s efforts to support all families, ensuring that no parent was left behind.

The prime minister also announced that the competence of the Commercial Court, the re-establishment of which was announced a few days ago, …