Minister: no need for paid compassionate leave

No separate system to compensate grieving parents for lost income is necessary.

So says trade minister Helgi Abrahamsen in his reply to MP Djóni Nolsøe Joensen’s enquiry about compassionate leave for parents.

The minister says that other systems currently in force, such as the Starvsmannalógin (the Salaried Employees Act), unemployment benefits and various trade regulations often serve the same function as paid compassionate leave.

He adds that although the Barsilsskipanin maternity system is not the right place to go for grieving parents, plans are in place to change the maternity law to include clear authorisation for granting money to parents whose child is either stillborn or dies within the 48-week maternity leave period.

Translated by prosa.fo