A notification issued by the Central government stated that now the central government employees who are single fathers can avail Child Care Leave (CCL) of total 730 days during their entire period of service. By “single male” the notification meant “an unmarried or widower or divorcee”.
This provision was till now only applied to women employees who could take CCL in three spells in a year. Also, she could avail the leave for up to two children only.
The 7th Pay Commission in its report recognized that if a male employee is single then the onus of rearing and nurturing the children falls on his shoulders only. So, the commission recommended the extension of CCL to single male parents also.
Also, there is an additional responsibility on the shoulders of single mothers. So, the commission recommended the condition of three spells in a year to be relaxed to six spells in a year.
Another important recommendation made was that CCL should be granted at 100 per cent of the salary for the first 365 days, and at 80 per cent of the salary for the next 365 days.
Child Care Leave (CCL) was first introduced by the 6th pay Commission for women government employees. The move was seen as a positive measure aimed at benefiting the women employees. Apart from CCL, women can also avail paid maternity leave of 180 days and the male parents can claim 15 days.