The possibility for fathers to enjoy a five-day leave with a salary to enjoy the first moments after the birth of their child and care for their partner falters in a legislative committee because of the fiscal crisis.
The initiative is discussed in the Social Affairs Committee of the Legislative Assembly, which last Tuesday received the unanimous approval of the board of directors of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), provided that the financial resources to deal with those payments.
Román Macaya, executive president of the entity, highlighted the “praiseworthy goal” of the initiative, but warned that the institution faces “strong pressures” due to the high cost of medicines, the increase in the demand for services due to demographic change and problems of sustainability in the pension scheme. All this must be taken into account when establishing a new cost for the institution.
According to the authorities of the entity, the calculations made indicate that paternity leave would represent an investment of nearly ₡ 3 billion each year, in addition to the costs of pre-and-postpartum maternity leave.
Luis Antonio Aiza, National Liberation announced that his vote would be negative, as well as Yorleni León, from the same party. Patricia Villegas, from National Integration, also showed doubts, while Catalina Montero from Acción Ciudadana assured that more information was necessary.
The problem, according to those who oppose or have doubts, is that the fiscal situation of the country does not give room for new expenses.
Shirley Diaz, from the Christian Social Unit highlighted the social meaning and the paradigm shift that would mean approving the initiative, although her doubts focused especially on the use of the leave by men.
She said that there may be cases in which the father requests or is granted the leave and does not use it to care for the child. In view of this, she said the leave should be granted to the person who is really going to take care of the minor.