Childcare

The provision of childcare can make a significant difference to when and whether women return to work after maternity leave. The state provision of childcare in the Nordic countries is a major factor in ensuring high levels of women's employment in those countries.

Armenia

| Trade union: HWUA | Sector: Health and Social Services |

Although the law gives fathers and other family members the same guarantees and benefits in the event that they look after children until they reach the age of three, the prevailing stereotyped thinking of both men and also women themselves prevents them from availing themselves of this opportunity.

Austria

| Trade union: VIDA | Sector: Private health |

In the majority of institutions in Austria the collective agreement provides for leave of absence to care for sick children and financial assistance with childcare. Large institutions usually have workplace kindergartens and playgroups.

Czech Republic

| Trade union: TUHSSC | Sector: HSS |

The Union has not engaged in social dialogue on this issue. Some large teaching hospitals have set up in-house nurseries; this service is generally not available in smaller hospitals.

Denmark

| Trade union: FOA | Sector: Municipal |

The Scandinavian welfare model is a political model that Denmark and the Nordic countries have chosen to adopt. It means that all citizens in society have access to social services regardless of their social background or origin. Citizens in society are thereby very financially secure e.g. with regards illness, unemployment and child-related costs. There is also a strong network of service providers in the form of day nursery care, health care and domestic help, etc. Another notable characteristic of the Scandinavian welfare model is that high economic growth and prosperity are linked to the relative equal distribution of income. The Wages Commission emphasizes that: “Denmark is one of those countries where the majority of men and women are active in the job market. Danish women’s and men’s employment frequency is among the highest in the OECD (OECD Factbook 2009: Economic, Environmental and Social Statistics).”
(Source: Wages Commission 2010, p.253)

Finland

| Trade union: FIPSU | Sector: Public sector |

Finland has a system of statutory national daycare in place for children under school-age. Employers do not arrange childcare for their employees. The arranging of care for a sick child has been discussed in negotiations and trials have been carried out in some government agencies.

France

| Trade union: FNEM-FO | Sector: Energy |

There is some financial support from energy sector employers for the cost of childcare as well as some provision at company level.

Germany

| Trade union: Ver.di | Sector: Public sector |

Provision for childcare is usually a matter to be addressed at workplace level and is often also included in gender equality plans. In connection with a private clinic we are aware of one collective agreement that includes provision for a pay supplement for childcare.

Moldova

| Trade union: Sanatatea | Sector: Health |

Women who work and look after one or more children of up to three years of age, benefit from a two hours per day reduction in their normal working hours without this affecting their salary.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women are, based on their medical certificate assigned to lighter duties that do not involve heavy production work, and continue to receive the average wage from their previous workplace.
Until such time as the matter of giving them lighter duties not involving any heavy production work has been resolved, pregnant women are exempt from performing their employment duties and continue to receive the average wage for the days that they did not work owing to this reason.
Where they cannot perform their employment duties at their workplace, women who have children of up to three years of age are transferred, in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Employment Code of the Republic of Moldova, to another workplace and continue to receive the average wage at their previous workplace until their child reaches the age of three.

Netherlands

| Trade union: Abvakabo | Sector: Public sector |

For parents the law provides possibilities for a contribution towards the cost of childcare. The law states that, under certain conditions, parents are entitled to unpaid parental leave. Furthermore, some collective agreements provided that the parental leave is (partially) paid.

Netherlands

| Trade union: NU 91 | Sector: Health |

The government is responsible for childcare provision.

Norway

| Trade union: Fagforbundet | Sector: Municipal |

These have not been specific negotiation issues, but also in such cases, three years are allocated to wages and salary seniority for care work. This applies to care for children and care for the sick or elderly.

| Trade union: NSF – nurses | Sector: Health/Municipal |

There is almost full coverage of kindergartens in Norway, and they are quite heavily subsidized by the state.

Romania

| Trade union: Sanitas | Sector: Health |

After two years of parental leave the mother can use the state (public) and private caring and education services. There are also state (public) and private care services for the dependant adults.

Slovakia

| Trade union: Sozzass | Sector: Health |

No availability of childcare from employers and also no social programmes

Sweden

| Trade union: Kommunal | Sector: Municipal blue collar |

Access to child care or help with the cost of care is not a contractual issue. Swedish municipalities are required to provide child care for parents who work or study after the baby is one year old. In pre-school a maximum fee is applied, which means that parents pay 3% of their income with a maximum of 1260 SEK per child per month in fees.
Kommunal is working to increase the availability of childcare. Many welfare services employees work evenings, nights and weekends. Kommunal wants the municipalities to be obliged to offer care regardless of what time of day the parents are working.

For care of dependent relatives, the right to compensation and assistance is regulated by the Social Services Act.

UK

| Trade union: FBU | Sector: Fire Service |

There are no childcare/caring schemes in place (not one that we can identify, highlight or commend) that compulsorily assist with the cost of childcare or dependent care for work hours, training or development. There is also little or no recognition of this as a barrier to career progression.

| Trade union: RCN | Sector: Health |

Yes at local employer level

| Trade union: UNISON | Sector: Public Sector |

(2011 update) All three and four year old children are entitled to 15 hours of free nursery education for 38 weeks of the year. This applies until they reach compulsory school age (the term following their fifth birthday). Free nursery education can take place in nurseries, playgroups, preschools or at their childminders. Employers can also offer a childcare voucher scheme, where income tax and national insurance contributions are not paid on the first £55 per week. Some employers offer subsidised nurseries, but this is negotiated at a local level.