Two months ago, TNM editor-in-chief Dhanya Rajendran and Duroflex Mattresses put out a petition, asking for two months paid paternity leave.
This petition, which seeks to ensure that equal parenting is the norm, comes at a time when an infant’s care is considered to be primarily a mother’s job. She bears the baby, so she has to look after it too. That leaves her tired and sleepless, often forcing her to compromise on her career and health. The initial imbalance in parenting follows the mother all through her life.
The petition, which called on lawmakers to draft and pass a law mandating all public and private organisations in India to provide the option of two months paid leave for fathers gathered steam, and garnered 24,313 signatures. This petition was started by Duroflex Mattresses. You can sign the petition here.
On July 9, JG Prince, the MLA of Colachel Constituency in Tamil Nadu wrote to the Leader of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, asking them to hold a debate to enforce the demand for paternity leave, as well as recommend it to the Central government.
Translation of the letter:
Leader of the Assembly,
Secretariat,
Chennai
Respected sir,
I bring the following emergency event of public importance to the notice of the Chief Minister under Rule 55 of the TN Legislative Assembly Rules.
A petition by Dhanya Rajendran, a journalist with The News Minute for two months paid paternity leave for men working in government and private sectors has secured 24,311 signatures implying people’s support to the cause. Hence I request the government of Tamil Nadu to arrange for a debate in the Assembly for the implementation of the demand and to recommend it to the Central government.
Yours,
JG Prince
