The Peer Review in Prague examined the financial impact of maternity and paternity leave on families and provided a valuable opportunity to discuss and exchange good practices, challenges and lessons learnt.

The aim was to help Member States design more effective policy responses and practical measures to facilitate the reconciliation of work and family life, thus also contributing to a more equal take-up of parental leave and an increase in the labour market participation of women with children.

The Peer Review was hosted by the Czech Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs with peer country representatives from Austria, Croatia, Estonia, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Spain.

Background

The demographic curve in the Czech Republic poses a challenge: the population is ageing and birth rates are projected to be low in the long term. This will lead to a shrinking workforce. Currently, while overall employment rates are very high, the Czech Republic is experiencing labour force shortages. Employers would benefit from ways to increase female participation in the labour market, also including by bringing women back to work more quickly following breaks for caring responsibilities, thus using available human capital more efficiently. This could include new ways to reconcile work and family life and encouraging men to become more involved in caring responsibilities.

The new generation of employees – Millennials – seek new and innovative working arrangements which include greater flexibility. At the same time, new jobs and employment opportunities also often call for greater flexibility which can offer opportunities as well as challenges for work - life balance. Last but not least, modern work - life balance policies should open the labour market to all and reduce the risk of poverty and social exclusion, in line with the EU2020 Strategy and the European Pillar of Social Rights.

To tackle the challenges mentioned above, the Czech Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare recently introduced measures aimed at supporting the reconciliation between work and private life, in the context of the national Family Policy Strategy.

The Peer Review will be a valuable opportunity to discuss and exchange good practices, challenges and lessons learnt on reconciliation of work and family life.