Under the heading of extraordinary paid leave, Article 19 of Law No. 5953 provides leave for three situations alongside the weekly rest. The periods are short but the entitlements are clear.
Leave Entitlements
| Situation | Entitlement |
|---|---|
| Birth of a child | 3 days |
| Death of a spouse, child, mother or father | 4 days |
| Marriage of a child | 2 days |
| Death of a sibling, grandmother, grandfather or grandchild | 2 days |
The distinction to watch is in the death entitlements: the period splits by degree of kinship. Four days for a spouse, child, mother or father; two days for a sibling, grandmother, grandfather or grandchild.
It Does Not Count Against Annual Leave
Paid Leave
The article provides this leave as paid. No deduction from pay may be made for the period of leave.
Do Not Confuse This with Maternity Leave
The "birth of a child — 3 days" entry corresponds to paternity leave. Maternity leave for a female journalist is regulated in a separate and far longer provision: under Article 16, a female journalist is treated as on leave from the seventh month of pregnancy to the end of the second month after the birth.
The pay for that period is also calculated differently; this is covered in the maternity article.
Documentation
The Law does not list a document requirement for the leave; but keeping the supporting basis on file protects both sides. A birth certificate, death certificate or wedding invitation closes off any later argument that "this leave was never granted" or "this leave was deducted from annual leave".
Bottom Line
A journalist receives 3 days of paid leave on the birth of a child; 4 days on the death of a spouse, child, mother or father; and 2 days on the marriage of a child or the death of a sibling, grandparent or grandchild. This leave does not count against annual leave.
Annual leave is covered in the annual leave article and weekly rest in the weekly rest article.