Now, single fathers get extended childcare leave

The 7th Pay Commission report has recommended Child Care Leave (CCL) for single male parents, which is currently given only to women employees.

CCL is granted to women employees for a maximum period of two years (730 days) during their entire service for taking care of their minor children (up to 18 years of age).

The Pay Commission, headed by Justice AK Mathur, submitted its recommendations to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley yesterday. “The Commission notes that in the event a male employee is single, the onus of rearing and nurturing the children falls squarely on his shoulders.

“Hence the extension of CCL to single male parents is recommended,” the report said.

It also recommended CCL at 100 per cent of the salary for the first 365 days, and 80 per cent of the salary for the next 365 days.

CCL was first introduced by the 6th Central Pay Commission.

The latest report also said there is a “palpable need” to bring in some inhibiting feature so as to ensure that only genuinely affected employees avail of this scheme.

“Towards this end, the Commission recommends that CCL should be granted at 100 per cent of the salary for the first 365 days, but at 80 per cent of the salary for the next 365 days,” it said.

The report further said that the Commission recognises the additional responsibility on the shoulders of employees who are single mothers.

“Accordingly, it is recommended that for such employees, the conditionality of three spells in a calendar year should be relaxed to six spells in a calendar year,” the 900-page report said.

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