Unequal treatment of military parents with regard to the parental leave regime

Question for written answer E-003414/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Konstantinos Arvanitis (The Left)

Article 28 of Law 4808/2021, by which the Greek legal order incorporates Directive (EU) 2019/1158 on work-life balance, provides for parental leave of up to four months,[1] while for parents of three or more children, parental leave of three months is granted with full pay, in accordance with circular number ΔΙΔΑΔ/Φ.69/213/οικ.13594/2022 of the Ministry of Interior.

However, with regard to employees in the Armed Forces, Ministerial Decision Φ.400/34/292616/Σ.4753/2016, which does not provide for any form of remuneration or allowances during parental leave, continues to apply.

This establishes a selective application of the EU regulation and introduces unequal treatment to the detriment of military parents in comparison to other working parents, while at the same time the measure loses its power as a tool to support the family, combat the demographic problem and enhance equality.

In light of the above:

• 1.Is the Commission aware of this specific legislative failure?
• 2.How does the Commission intend to act so that the relevant directive is correctly incorporated into the Greek legal order and produces the appropriate legal effects?

Submitted: 4.9.2025

• [1] Art. 28(3) 'For the first two (2) months of parental leave, the Manpower Employment Organisation shall be obliged to pay a parental leave allowance to each parent, monthly, at a sum equal to the minimum statutory wage, as determined each time, as well as holiday bonuses and leave allowance pro rata on the basis of the aforementioned amount.'