July 1, 2021 

The Executive Yuan on Thursday proposed a number of amendments to existing laws that will increase the number of days available for prenatal check-ups, while also allowing both parents to take parental leave at the same time.

Currently, the Act of Gender Equality in Employment stipulates a maximum five days of paid leave for prenatal health checks.

According to the proposed amendment, passed during a Cabinet meeting Thursday, the number of paid leave days would be increased to seven.

The Cabinet also proposed amending Article 19 of the Act of Gender Equality in Employment so those hired by employers with fewer than 30 employees can ask for more flexible working hours to take care of their children. Currently, only those hired by employers with 30 employees or more can make such a request.

The Cabinet also proposed removing Article 22 of the same act which stipulates an employee cannot apply for parental leave if his or her spouse is unemployed, without "justifiable reason."

This is intended to ensure both parents share responsibility for taking care of their child or children, according to the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, the regulations pertaining to parental leave have also been revised and took effect the same day.

Parents are no longer required to opt for six-month blocks of parental leave but rather will be able to apply for one to six months off until a child reaches the age of three years.

The government measures also expand National Health Insurance coverage for infertility treatment, which is currently only available for low and middle-income married couples.

Read the full article: https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202107010018