Source: Federación Española de Familias Numerosas
The Spanish Federation of Large Families (FEFN) has held a working meeting with representatives of the European Commission in Spain, to analyze proposals to support the family and review the status of some political initiatives, such as the Family Law.
FEFN, as an entity that represents large families -800,000 in Spain-, has proposed the measures that it considers most necessary for these families, and has expressed its rejection of the loss of the identity and concept of a large family, which was initially included in the Law of Families, pending approval.
In addition to this issue, FEFN has proposed other necessary measures to support families with children and particularly large ones. Among others, the number of children should be considered when accessing aid, to end the discrimination currently suffered by families with 4 or more children, who are not counted in many of the benefits.
In terms of tax and economic benefits, FEFN has demanded an increase in the deduction of €600 per large family, starting with the third child, son, so that it reaches the majority of families; that the maternity deduction be increased up to age 6 and its coverage progressively extended up to age 18, to converge with Europe on universal family benefits.
FEFN also spoke about measures to reconcile work and family life, which are very necessary, such as remuneration for the 8-week leave for caring for a child under 8 years of age, in line with the European directive; as well as the extension of birth leave from 16 to 20 weeks, 22 weeks in the case of large families. FEFN also defended the expansion of school lunch scholarships, a necessary measure to alleviate the
economic cost of this service and promote conciliation.
Furthermore, during the meeting, FEFN announced the initiative of the “Family-Friendly” municipalities, developed by the European Large Families Confederation, exposing the convenience of promoting family support policies throughout Europe from the councils.