Controversy brews over Minister's adoption leave arrangements
Prime Minister supports Lindén's decision
Suvi Lindén
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An application sent by Minister of Communications Suvi Lindén (Nat. Coalition Party) to the office of the Chancellor of Justice concerning arrangements linked with her adoption of a child has led to some controversy.
Lindén, who recently adopted a small child, said on Thursday that in the coming weeks she plans to do as much telecommuting as possible, take her annual holiday, and use various substitute arrangements as she stays home with the new family member. She said that she had decided on the procedure on the basis of a report requested from the Chancellor of Justice. The report goes through a law on payments to ministers, which took effect at the beginning of the year.
"It does not recognise such a thing as ‘maternity leave'", says Risto Hiekkataipale, a high-ranking official at the office of the Chancellor of Justice.
Hiekkataipale says that Lindén can choose between two options. She can either continue as a member of the government, and spend time with the child while on annual leave, or ask to be temporarily relieved of her duties as minister, as Environment Minister Paula Lehtomäki (Centre) has done during her ongoing maternity leave.
Lindén compared her proposed arrangements to those made in the 1990s by two other ministers who became mothers while in office: Eeva Kuuskoski and Hannele Pokka.
However, the office of the Chancellor of Justice stipulates that the maternity leaves of Kuuskoski and Pokka cannot be seen as precedents, because they were held before Finland had joined the European Union; nowadays serving as a minister part-time is no longer seen as acceptable.
Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre) gave his support on Friday to Lindén's proposal that she could perform her ministerial duties from home, instead of vacating her post for the early maternity period.
"The arrangements have my full support. A couple of months ago I discussed the matter and we agreed on the general guidelines for the arrangements. What is significant is that in the coming weeks she will use her annual holiday days and days off, and will perform some of her duties", Vanhanen told Helsingin Sanomat on Friday evening.
During the telephone interview Vanhanen mentioned that at the time of the call he was at home himself, at his computer, doing ministerial work constantly.
"It is an unreasonable demand that Minister Lindén would have to resign for a few weeks. She must have the opportunity to arrange her duties in such a way that she will have time for the child as well. At this time I only wish the best of luck for the minister's adoption."
Vanhanen emphasised that he is quite aware that a minister cannot take an ordinary parental leave.
"She is dealing with her ministerial duties in this way. I know from experience that ministers have many duties in which it is possible to consider whether or not to go and give a speech today, for instance, or to give the child first priority. I recommend putting the interest of the child first", Vanhanen said.
Vanhanen also feels that Lindén's planned arrangement is quite legal. "As long as she takes care of her duties as a minister, the decision is legal."
"If there is some confusion about giving out information in the discussion with the Chancellor of Justice, it can certainly be clarified", Vanhanen said.
But shouldn't Suvi Lindén consider temporary resignation from her post as Minister of the Environment Paula Lehtomäki recently did when she went on maternity leave? "No, because such a brief arrangement is involved", Vanhanen noted.
National Coalition Party chairman, Finance Minister Jyrki Katainen was not available for comment on Friday. However, sources close to Katainen said that Lindén had discussed the matter well in advance with him, and had received his political support.
While he was a minister, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Johannes Koskinen took about two months off when his daughter was born. He said that he does not understand why ministers could not get a few months off work in connection with the adoption or birth of a child.
Suvi Lindén herself was could not be reached on Friday. Sources close to her said that she was at home taking care of her new child.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 1.10.2007 - TODAY |
 Controversy brews over Minister's adoption leave arrangements |
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