The Association of Managers of Montenegro (AMM) and UNICEF announced that it is important by law to allow mothers and fathers in Montenegro to use parental leave at the same time, so that children receive quality family care, especially immediately after birth.
This is stated in the joint statement of AMM and UNICEF in Montenegro, as well as that "the public and private sectors can help the economic growth of the country by establishing a working environment that equally supports women and men to work and have a family".
"Based on UNICEF's global guidelines, this year AMM is organizing a nomination for the employer with the best family-friendly policy. The award will be presented at the annual awards ceremony to the Best Managers and Entrepreneurs in May of this year," the announcement states.
President of AMM Budimir Raičković said that they were pleased to support this idea and included this category, in order to affirm and stimulate employers and companies to support children, women and families.
"Companies that, in addition to results, focus on the satisfaction and needs of employees, their families and children have a future, and this approach will have multiple benefits for economic, social development and prosperity in the future at the state level," said Raičković.
The head of the UNICEF representative office in Montenegro, Juan Santander, emphasized that by supporting "women to achieve a healthy balance between work and private life, economic growth is encouraged."
"In the Nordic countries, over the last 50 years, these policies have led to an increase in GDP per capita growth of up to 20 percent. Employed women have the opportunity to realize their potential and feel fulfilled, while at the same time increasing family income and boosting economic growth," he pointed out.
For the British ambassador to Montenegro, Karen Maddox, it is crucial to increase the participation of women in the workforce and create more opportunities for both men and women.
Maddox believes that this provides better care for children and better support for men and women.
"Through parental leave and family-friendly policies, men, as well as women, can decide whether to take on the childcare role at home, and whether and how to balance it with work. Employers have a role to play in helping men and women rethink and free themselves from societal expectations of gender roles that sometimes limit their choices," Maddox asserts.
UNICEF's young reporters see family-friendly policies as necessary to make an employer attractive to young people, who are the workforce of the future.
"In order for employers to be attractive to young people, they must take care of our mental health. It is up to employers to find a way to make their employees happier, because only a rested and happy worker is productive," said young reporter Dunja Petričević.
The announcement adds that the focus of the nomination in Montenegro for the successful implementation of family-friendly policies is on the support of the private sector to working parents through investments in quality and affordable care for children aged one to six years.
"Companies can cover monthly kindergarten fees, child benefits and paid leave for parents who take care of children when they get sick during the early years," the statement said.
It is pointed out that expenses for daycare or after-school childcare during the first grades of primary school can also be covered until the parents finish the workday and join them at home.
"The focus is on promoting parental leave for fathers and on supporting parents to use flexible working hours," the announcement concludes.
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