The State Duma supported the idea of extending paid maternity leave to three years

Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Family Protection, Paternity, Maternity and Childhood Nina Ostanina supported the idea to extend paid maternity leave up to three years. She reported about it on February 12.

According to her, this topic is raised in connection with the state's interest in increasing the birth rate. Ostanina noted that this issue cannot be solved only through one-time payments.

In addition, the deputy emphasized that the term of maternity leave, according to Russian legislation, is currently three years, but the state pays only one and a half of them.

"If we make this paid period [of] three years, I believe that very many women will be encouraged to give birth to their next child during this period as well," she emphasized in a conversation with TASS.

She emphasized that she supports the initiative.

Earlier, on January 27, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said that from February 1 the government will index more than 40 different social payments and benefits by 9.5%, including maternity capital. The payment for the first child will exceed Br690 thousand, while for the second and subsequent - Br912 thousand, he specified.

Prior to that, January 5, the Social Fund of Russia said that in 2025, the maternity benefit may exceed Br1 million, depending on the woman's salary. The payment is calculated from the average earnings for the two years that preceded the year of the beginning of maternity leave. Thus, the minimum amount of benefits in 2025 for 140 days will amount to Br103,285, the maximum - Br794,355.