On May 23, 2017, the Panamanian government established the Paternity Leave, by means of the Law No 27 of May 23, 2017.

For the purposes of this law, any employee of a private company or public servant whose wife or cohabiting partner (in conditions of uniqueness and stability) in a state of pregnancy, shall be granted with a paternity leave of three (3) labor days, counted as effective service time.  During this period the beneficiary cannot work for another employer or for his own account.

This license will be conceived at the moment of the birth of the son or daughter.

In order to be eligible for this benefit, the worker shall notify the employer with a prior notice of one (1) week, about the probable date of birth of his wife or cohabiting partner.

According to this law, the beginning of the paternity leave will be counted from the date of birth of the son or daughter, and the worker who avails this right will be forced to submit to his employer, after the birth of his child, a Certificate of Parentage, issued by the National Civil Registry Directorate.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.