The plan is a first for Switzerland: all new parents in canton Geneva can now receive – on top of the existing 16 weeks for mothers and two for fathers – an extra six weeks for the second partner. The existing two weeks for fathers can now be used however the parents wish.
It applies to all couples, regardless of heterosexual or same-sex, and regardless of whether the child is adopted or not.
The measure will be financed by employer contributions. It was backed by business and centre-right groups, and opposed by left-wing groups who said it was not comprehensive enough. They also criticised the fact that the scheme is not statutory, but opt-in.
‘No’ in Bern
Voters in canton Bern meanwhile rejected on Sunday an even more ambitious plan, which wanted to build on the existing 14 weeks of leave for new mothers and two for fathers with 24 extra weeks to be shared between both.
This plan was clearly rejected by 66.5% of voters.
At the national level, voters accepted in 2020 an initiative granting 10 days of leave to new fathers; before this, men were not entitled to any statutory days off after the birth of a child, although they could request one or two days of leave under the code of obligations in Swiss labour law.
More
More
Swiss voters approve paternity leave, bury family tax breaks
This content was published on
A two-week paternity leave passed with strong support, while more tax deductions for families with children failed at the ballot box.
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
This content was published on
Hollywood star Pamela Anderson will be honoured at the Zurich Film Festival for her career and role in the film The Last Showgirl.
Switzerland to host Ukraine mine action conference in October
This content was published on
Together with Ukraine, Switzerland is organising the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC2024) in Lausanne on October 17 and 18.
Switzerland revises pension expenditure downwards by billions
This content was published on
The Swiss government has corrected downwards the projected expenditure on old-age and survivor insurance in 2033 by CHF2.5 billion ($2.66 billion).
Excess mortality rate post-Covid could persist until 2033
This content was published on
According to a report by reinsurer Swiss Re, many countries are still experiencing excess mortality following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Swiss Army ends clean-up operation in storm-hit Maggia Valley
This content was published on
The Swiss Armed Forces completed 76 flight hours during the clean-up operation following the storm in the Maggia Valley in Ticino at the end of June.
Swiss cruise ship stranded on Danube River after heavy rains
This content was published on
Passengers on a Swiss river-cruise ship stranded on the Danube following heavy rainfall are still unable to disembark in Vienna due to flooding.
Golden eagles get better at flying over time, say Swiss researchers
This content was published on
Golden eagles perfect their flight as they age and learn to make better use of air currents, says a new study co-produced by Swiss researchers.
This content was published on
Public libraries in Switzerland recorded 46.3 million admissions last year, 7.4 million more than in 2022, says the Federal Statistical Office.
Swiss conservative party seeks referendum against Eurovision contest
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Democratic Union is launching a referendum to prevent the Eurovision Song Contest from taking place in Basel next year.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.