Family speakers demand reform of the maternity leave model in Salzburg

Family speakers demand reform of the maternity leave model in Salzburg

Salzburg, Österreich - On April 11, 2025, the family speakers of the Austrian federal states met in the picturesque Salzburg for a decisive conference. Hoster Marlene Svazek (FPÖ), deputy governor of Salzburg, led the discussion about the necessary reform of the current maternity model. The politicians unanimously emphasized that austerity measures at the federal level must not be at the expense of families, while the needs of families are put in the foreground.

Upper Austria's family officer Manfred Haimbuchner (FPÖ) summed up the discussion and demanded that the valuation of the services from the family burden compensation should not be suspended. However, the existing maternity model, which is considered economically interesting, leads to an escape into educational leave. The reform should offer freedom of choice without economic pressure and a protected space for families.

criticism of current regulations

Another central point of the conference was the problem in connection with family subsidies and childcare allowance for displaced persons from Ukraine who live in Salzburg. It was found that there is an increase in large Roma and Sinti large families from western Ukraine who are entitled to services. In addition, Family Minister Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) announced an evaluation of the existing regulation, while Svazek called for an immediate suspension of the regulation. Many refugees from Ukraine have now found good access to the labor market.

The reform initiatives are in the context of Austria's comprehensive family policy, which has made significant progress in recent years. According to a study by the European Commission, Austria is considered the leading country in the EU for family services. These successes are emphasized by family minister Susanne Raab, before the international day of the family on May 15, which indicates an annual adaptation of family services to inflation and a significant increase in family performance by 9.7 percent for 2024. In addition, the family time bonus was more than doubled.

family services and fathers participation

The government has also implemented measures such as the partnership bonus and strengthening fathers participation in order to promote an even division of parental leave. Fathers can receive up to 1,600 euros as a family time bonus, and the additional earnings limits in the childcare allowance were expanded. The federal government, together with the federal states and municipalities, invests around 4.5 billion euros in the expansion of childcare.

In the current discussion about the maternity leave model, it can be seen that politics responds to the needs of families to fix existing challenges and grievances. The revision of the maternity leave is aimed at finding a flexible and fair solution that meets the requirements of modern life.

The previous reform efforts and the latest developments show that Austria wants to consolidate its place as a pioneer in family policy, while at the same time the challenges have to be mastered through social changes and migration.