Newsroom
Cyprus’ House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill Thursday extending the right for working mothers to take one hour of daily leave for breastfeeding or childcare from nine to twelve months after childbirth or adoption.
The legislation, introduced by DISY MP Savia Orphanidou, passed with 38 votes in favor and was met with cross-party support.
Lawmakers hailed the bill as a step toward supporting mothers in the workplace and promoting gender equality. Independent MP Alexandra Attalides said the measure ensures job security for women during a critical life stage, and called for similar support for fathers to foster shared family responsibilities.
Other MPs echoed the bill’s importance in reconciling family and work life. DIKO MP Pavlos Mylonas said the measure addresses long-standing gaps in state support for mothers, while colleague Christos Senekis warned that cultural changes in the workplace are still needed for such rights to be fully utilized. He also noted objections from the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation, which cited potential impacts on productivity.
Supporters, including EDEK MP Elias Myrianthous and AKEL MP Andreas Kavkalias, linked the measure to broader efforts to address demographic challenges and workplace equity. They called for more comprehensive policies to support parents.
House Speaker and DISY President Annita Demetriou praised the bill as an example of how “small things matter most,” and emphasized the importance of women’s roles in decision-making.
Orphanidou thanked fellow MPs for their support and urged the government to move forward with expanding maternity leave to 26 weeks, especially for mothers of premature babies.
