Labour Law

Country
Latvia

Section 154 - Prenatal and Maternity Leave(1) Prenatal leave of 56 calendar days and maternity leave of 56 calendar days shall be summed and 112 calendar days granted irrespective of the number of days prenatal leave has been utilised prior to child-birth.(2) A woman who has initiated pregnancy-related medical care at a preventive medical institution by the 12th week of pregnancy and has continued for the whole period of pregnancy shall be granted a supplementary leave of 14 days, adding it to the prenatal leave and calculating 70 calendar days in total.(3) In case of complications in pregnancy, childbirth or postnatal period, as well as if two or more children are born, a woman shall be granted a supplementary leave of 14 days, adding it to the maternity leave and calculating 70 calendar days in total.(4) Leave granted in connection with pregnancy and childbirth shall not be included in annual paid leave.(5) A woman who utilises pregnancy or maternity leave shall have preserved her previous work. If this is not possible, the employer shall ensure the woman similar or equivalent work with not less advantageous circumstances and employment provisions.Section 155 - Leave to Father of a Child, Adopters and Other Persons(1) The father of a child is entitled to leave of 10 calendar days. Leave to the father of a child shall be granted immediately after the birth of the child, but not later than within a two-month period from the birth of the child.(2) If a mother has died in childbirth or within a period up to the 42nd day of the postnatal period, or in accordance with the procedures prescribed by law up to the 42nd day of the postnatal period has refused to take care and bring up the child, the father of the child shall be granted leave for the period up to the 70th day of the child’s life. The leave referred to shall be granted also to another person who actually takes care of the child.(3) If a mother cannot take care of the child up to the 42nd day of the postnatal period due to illness, injury or other health-related reasons, the father or another person who actually takes care of the child shall be granted leave for those days on which the mother herself is not able to take care of the child.(...)Section 156 - Parental Leave(1) Every employee has the right to parental leave in connection with the birth or adoption of a child. Such leave shall be granted for a period not exceeding one and a half years up to the day the child reaches the age of eight years.(2) Parental leave, at the request of an employee, shall be granted as a single period or in parts. The employee has a duty to notify the employer in writing one month in advance of the beginning and the length of the parental leave or parts thereof.(3) The time spent by an employee on parental leave shall be included in the total length of service.(4) The previous job of an employee who makes use of parental leave shall be retained. If this is not possible, the employer shall ensure the employee similar or equivalent work with not less advantageous circumstances and employment provisions.