Members of the management boards of commercial companies will be able to take childcare-related leave

On Tuesday, 11 June, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the amendments to the Commercial Law drafted by the Ministry of Justice, granting members of the management boards of commercial companies the right to special leave related to childcare: maternity, childbirth and parental leave, leave for the child’s father, another person and an adoptive parent.

Minister of Justice Inese Lībiņa-Egnere emphasises: “Parents should not have to choose between family and professional life, which is why the state must create the conditions for successfully combining the two—so that children are born and every person can fulfil their professional aspirations. The amendments to the Commercial Law will provide parents involved in company management—in management boards and supervisory councils—with social guarantees, so that everyone feels protected and can devote appropriate care and attention to raising their child. Women in Latvia are strong and inspiring leaders; they manage large companies and organisations in all areas of business. Therefore, I have no doubt that the amendments will promote gender equality and women’s economic leadership for Latvia’s growth.”

The amendments provide a solution for relieving a management board member of their duties during their absence while ensuring their right to special leave at the same time. During such leave, the powers of the management board member will be suspended—the member will not perform their duties or form part of the management board, but will be fully entitled to take the pre-natal, post-natal or parental leave to which they are entitled. The aim of the amendments is to improve the social, economic and legal protection of management board members in cases where they need to participate in childcare. These amendments will not only increase the social guarantees of management board members, but also strengthen gender equality.

The Saeima will still have to decide on the amendments to the Commercial Law. The draft law is available in the Legal Acts Portal.