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The experience of the parental leave system in Iceland

The experience of the parental leave system in Iceland. Norsk kvinnesaksforening - fagseminar Oslo February 3, 2009 Svala Jónsdóttir Centre for Gender Equality. Parental leave in Iceland. Prior to 2000, six months leave since 1987

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The experience of the parental leave system in Iceland

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  1. The experience of the parental leave system in Iceland Norsk kvinnesaksforening - fagseminar Oslo February 3, 2009 Svala Jónsdóttir Centre for Gender Equality

  2. Parental leave in Iceland • Prior to 2000, six months leave since 1987 • Fathers could take part of the leave under the old system, but very few did • Two weeks separate father’s leave in 1997

  3. New parental leave system • In full effect 2003, introduced in increments • 3-3-3 months, divided between parents = 9 • Enable both women and men to reconcile work and family life

  4. Hopes and expectations Hopes that new system would: Strengthen women’s position at work Increase men’s participation in the home Help close the gender pay gap

  5. Strong points • Compulsory sharing between parents • Majority of fathers take three months • 80% of previous pay and minimum payments.

  6. Strong points cont. • Flexibility in taking the leave • Funded by insurance levy • Self-employed are entitled • Same-sex couples get same treatment

  7. Weak points • Only nine months in all • Gap between end of leave and preschool • Cap on the amount that can be paid • Few fathers take more than three months

  8. Weak points cont. • Fathers who take more than three months have higher salaries than average • Children of single mothers may get only six months at home with parent • Uncertain effect on gender equality

  9. Icelandic labour market • Women’s labour participation has been high • 60% in 1975 78,6% in 2007 • Same unemployment for women and men • was 2,3% in 2007... Higher in 2008 and 2009 • Percentage of women working full time rising • 39% in 1983 52% in 1995 63% in 2004

  10. Positive effects • Increased fertility • Increased emotional attachment between father and child • Men also face dismissal due to leave

  11. Little or no effect • Not much change in working hours • +1 hour for women, -3 hours for men since 1995 • No change in gender pay gap • Slight change in division of labor

  12. Gender pay gap • Thought to be due to women’s fewer hours, taking maternity leave, childcare • 8-18% in Iceland, adjusted pay gap • Has not changed in 12 years • (was 16% 1994 and 15,7% 2006 in one study)

  13. Division of labour • RU study published in 2008 • 600 fathers and spouses interviewed • Only 30% thought that the couples were more equal after the leave

  14. Effect of parental leave law • The law has only been in full effect for 5 years, may need longer time • Most fathers only take three months. A longer leave may have more effect. • Perhaps there are other factors re. pay gap

  15. svala@jafnretti.is

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