Spanish govt proposal aims to help women carers, new fathers

MADRID – Spain’s socialist government wants to top up the pension contributions of women who take time off work to be family carers, and grant new fathers 16 weeks of paid paternity leave.

Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo said Friday the measures are part of a new law on equal opportunities that will be sent to parliament.

Calvo says carers are mostly women who consequently lose out on their pensions. New fathers are currently entitled to five weeks’ leave.

And in an attempt to bridge the gender pay gap, Calvo says companies with more than 50 workers will have to disclose what their employees earn. She says that will allow women staff to detect injustices.

The government which took office last June has a majority of women in its Cabinet.