Geneva adopts extended parental leave after federal law amendment

Geneva's legislature has passed a law granting parents up to 24 weeks of leave, extending one outlet 16-week maternity period with an additional eight weeks for the other parent. The initiative, driven by the Vert’libéraux and approved by roughly 58% of voters in June 2023, was previously blocked because it conflicted with federal regulations. After the federal parliament revised the loss-of-earnings allowance in December, cantons are now allowed to go beyond the national baseline, covering the new parental leave and adoption cases.

Aurélien Barakat, president of the Vert’libéraux Genève, praised the development as a significant improvement for local families. He called on the Council of State to enact the provision without delay. However, the law does not yet extend to permanent foster-care arrangements, a gap that Delphine Klopfenstein Broggini says must be addressed at the federal level.