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When the switch to distance education was announced on Saturday, it was unclear whether parents automatically have the legal right to special childcare time to care for their children. The Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Health share contradictory information.
AUSTRIA. Tuesday’s strict lockdown does not in itself justify parents’ new legal right to special care time, although kindergarten is mandatory until December 7 and all schools are switching to distance education. “Where kindergartens and schools are currently closed, that is, childcare is not provided, of course there is a legal right,” the Labor Ministry said. “After consulting the employee with the employer, the special care time can also be used in other cases.”
Only in consultation with the employer
During the confinement there is the possibility of childcare in kindergartens and schools. Of course, there will be no lessons there starting Tuesday, and the government’s recommendation is to babysit at home, if possible. First Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) said in the ORF press hour: “If you have the opportunity to babysit at home, we ask you to do so.” It should not be forgotten that today there are hundreds of thousands of unemployed, as well as people with short-time jobs and people whose shops and businesses are closed.
However, as before, parents can only benefit from the special childcare leave after consulting their employer. According to the ministry, the legal right to a special care time applies when the care center has closed, for example, if the caregivers have Corona.
Health Minister Rudolf Anschober (Greens), for his part, had denied the elimination of special care on Saturday night: “No, I do not think so. We do not bother to deceive anyone here, but an offer to those parents who need it. “
“Slap in the face of all parents”
“The uncertainty does not help anyone,” said one at the ÖGB on Sunday at the request of the APA. The intent of the law is for parents not to be left high and dry. The ÖGB said that the legal right related to the confinement at the time of special attention will be verified. Kritk comes from the SPÖ women’s president, Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek: The fact that there is no legal right to special care time at the next closing is “a slap in the face to parents,” she said in a broadcast. Once again it is clear that this federal government is making a policy for those “who can do it anyway.” The Chancellor “just doesn’t care” about workers’ concerns.
More information on the subject:
Total blocking: what rules apply from Tuesday
Kurz announces massive tests towards the end of the confinement
Anchober: “Last chance to prevent triage”
