A group of women human rights defenders have called for parental leave in Thailand to be made more inclusive by extending it to unmarried partners and family members.

On Wednesday (16 July), parliament passed in the second and third readings a new labour protection bill increasing paid parental leave from 90 to 120 days. Employees whose partners had given birth are also entitled to up to 15 days of paid parental leave.

A House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee has approved a bill increasing paid parental leave from 90 days to 120 days. The bill is expected to be returned to parliament for its second and third reading once the session opens in July.

<p>As Thailand will soon be due for another general election, members of the civil society are now concerned that policies advocating for the welfare of women, children, and LGBTQ+ people and for gender equality would be used as a campaigning tool, as many political parties have yet to implement policies proposed during the 2019 election.</p>