Argentina: government grants parents right to paid leave on days when children have virtual lessons or on days with fewer classes

Ahead of the start of the academic year after the annual summer break (which varies according to the province in question), the Argentine government has adopted a measure that grants the right of justified absence (inasistencia justificada) to a mother, father or another individual responsible for a minor who cannot leave the child or adolescent in the care of someone else on the days they are following classes from home or on days with fewer lessons. When such a measure was introduced for the first time (during the lockdown in March 2020), there was debate over whether the employer should cover pay in such instances. However the issue appears to have been resolved this time: such paid leave is covered by the employer and is not taken into account when it comes to elements of pay impacted by absences. Only one parent can claim the leave allowance and they must inform their employer, providing precise information on the days and hours they will be absent by means of a sworn statement. Educational establishments will have to publish the school attendance scheme to enable employers to cross-check the information with that provided by their employees.