The Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine has denied information circulating in the media about the alleged reduction of parental leave to four months in the new draft Labor Code. The department explained that such statements arose due to incorrect interpretation of the norms and mixing of different types of leave.
The ministry emphasizes that the new Labor Code does not cancel the current social guarantees for parents, but on the contrary provides for additional opportunities that are close to European standards.
In particular, paid leave in connection with pregnancy and childbirth will remain unchanged. Its duration will continue to be 126 calendar days: 70 days before childbirth and 56 after them. The draft of the new Labor Code does not provide for its reduction or cancellation.
The right to leave to care for a child until the child reaches the age of three is also preserved. During this time, the employee retains his or her job and work experience. In addition, a single social contribution is paid for the woman during this period. In 2026, its amount will be 1902 hryvnias per month.
At the same time, the draft code provides for the introduction of a new paid parental leave lasting four months. It is divided between the parents: two months for the mother and two for the father. You cannot transfer your part to the other parent. If a child is raised by a single mother or father, such a person will be able to use all four months.
It is important that this new leave can be taken until the child turns eight. The ministry emphasizes that this is an additional guarantee that does not replace or reduce the existing leave of three years.
In addition, the draft Labor Code provides for the preservation of other social guarantees for families. Among them is a ban on the dismissal of employees who have children under one and a half years old or a child with a disability, additional protection for single mothers and fathers raising a child under 14 years old, as well as guarantees for pregnant women to undergo medical examinations with the preservation of their salary.
