No, parenting isn't over. Political seriousness may be

Some say the government is attacking families. That it wants to make parenthood more difficult. That it turns breastfeeding into a luxury and annihilates gestational grief. And there are even those, on the left and right, who use these lies with dangerous ease. Just look at the recent chorus: the Socialist Party, which in 2023 approved a disastrous and disjointed labor reform; Chega, which advocated for stricter schedules and workplace discipline; and now the Liberal Initiative, which, between calls for total deregulation, appears to be accusing the government of "cutting rights" and "making life difficult for family caregivers."

It's a case of saying: have some decency!

Because the facts are different. The draft Labor XXI strengthens parenthood like no other bill has done before. For the first time, shared parental leave will be paid at 100% for 180 days, a historic step forward and a clear investment by the State. The father's presence after birth is also strengthened: from 7 to 14 mandatory days. These aren't words; they are concrete measures with a direct impact on families.

Still, there were those who preferred to ignore all this to stir up trouble, as if this reform were an attack on women and families. This is false. And it needs to be said bluntly.

Let's begin with the so-called gestational bereavement. Much has been said, little explained. The rule the government proposes to eliminate provided for three days of absence, paid directly by the employer, applied unevenly, and often with uncertainty as to its scope. In contrast, what the system already provides, and will continue to provide, is a medically-recommended leave for termination of pregnancy, paid 100% by Social Security, for 14 to 30 days. By proposing to eliminate the gestational bereavement regime, the government is not reducing rights; it is clarifying them and ensuring that support comes from a public mechanism, with universal rules and adequate funding.

Then there's breastfeeding, which has become the opposition's new bogeyman. The right remains untouchable; what's proposed is a clear limit: two years, in line with the World Health Organization's recommendations. Currently, this right has no time limit, which generates uncertainty, conflicts, abusive interpretations, and even distrust in the workplace, as various entities, from the business sector to the social sector, have already confirmed.

At the same time, the period for presenting a medical certificate is extended to six months, precisely to protect the mother and prevent hidden pressure. This isn't a cut. It's about ensuring that the right is respected and respected.

Finally, flexible working hours for those with family responsibilities remain guaranteed! Balancing work and family life is a serious goal, but it also requires clear rules, particularly regarding the requirements arising from the company's operating hours or the nature of the employee's duties. Ignoring this is infantilizing the debate or manipulating it for partisan purposes.

The draft Labor XXI is a technical, thoughtful, socially responsible, and balanced reform. It doesn't regress rights, but rather corrects distortions and strengthens the credibility of the welfare state. It was launched to generate public debate, to be discussed in the Social Concertation and, later, in Parliament. It can and should be adjusted and even improved. This noise comes from those who have never done anything for these causes, nor even presented proposals for improvement, but have now discovered an opportunity to attack the government.

Portugal doesn't need legislative hysteria or headline-grabbing reforms. It needs courage, rigor, and measures that improve people's lives. And in this regard, this draft bill delivers!

All this misinformation and noise happens when governments bring about change! When governments come in to not leave everything the same.