Sweden is the first in the world to allow grandparents to take parental leave

Parents in the Nordic kingdom can transfer their maternity and paternity leave to those who are not legal representatives, ie family members, usually grandparents, who have the right to take leave in the amount of 80 percent of their salary. And that with effect from the first of October this year.

The rules that were approved last July, and are now fine-tuned, allow pensioners, for example, to take parental leave, in which case the compensation will depend on the amount of the pension. While receiving parental allowance, the recipient may not look for work or study.

Parents can use up to 45 days of their maternity or paternity leave in this way, single mothers can use up to 90 days.

The number of so-called double days, ie days when both parents can take parental leave together, has increased from 30 to 60. Couples can now use these double days for up to 15 months the child’s age, and the previous limit was twelve months.

The only remaining condition is that that person has previously taken out insurance for parental allowance, which most people in Sweden have done.

“These changes allow parents to shape their own lives, while encouraging stronger bonds between children and both parents or other close relatives,” she explained to the website. The Telegraph Anna Tenjeová, Minister for the Elderly and Social Security.

She said the purpose of the new law is to allow parents to combine their working life with an active family life and choose the best way to care for their children.

Maria Karlsson, who lives in Stockholm with her son, Liam, who is three years old, makes no secret of the fact that she is very relieved as a working single parent.

“My mum has been helping and supporting me since Liam was born. She was very helpful to me. And even now she helps me two days a week and picks him up from daycare, which allows me to work a little more at my job because I work part-time (80%), just to keep the economy going,” Maria told the website Euronews.

Zhor Karlsson, Maria’s mother, worked all her life in the civil service and is now enjoying her retirement. He believes the new system provides “something good for everyone”.

“For example, I help twice a week. It is almost a rule. But if I take care of my grandson for a whole week when he gets sick, it will be good that the state will remember me with a parental allowance,” said Zhor.

Only after the days have been transferred can beneficiaries who are caring for a child apply for parental allowance. In August, Maria moved to Zhora for about ten days through the website of the social insurance company to try the new system.

“They come in handy, for example, if mum wants to be home with Liam sometimes, or if he gets sick and she relieves them by staying at home with Liam one day and I do the rest,” explained Maria.

Andreá Hedinová, a politician from the ruling Center Party, transferred paid parental leave to her aunt, Mariysa Sleszynska, who has no children. “Women need to be able to be a mother and have a job they can go to,” she said.

However, Lena Hallengrenová, former minister of social affairs and member of the opposition Social Democratic Party, complains that this strategy is more like “giving nannies” and “writing blank checks”. “After all, parental insurance is primarily aimed at allowing parents to stay at home with their children,” she said.

Even before the benefits were developed, Sweden had a generous system. It offers a total of 480 days, ie 1.3 years, of which 390 days amount to 80 percent of the salary for a single parent. Two people are entitled to 240 days each.

The Land of the Three Crowns introduced paid parental leave for fathers in 1974. According to Försäkringskassan, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, fathers today take about 30 percent of paid parental leave, and only 17 percent of fathers who had children in 2017 none of the allowance.

Around 1,456 people in Sweden had transferred childcare days to someone who was not a second carer by the end of August,” Euronews concluded.