Egg donors and single people will now be entitled to up to 60 hours of paid leave per IVF cycle, following legal amendments introduced on Friday.

According to the amendments, people who undergo the invasive pregnancy procedure will now be entitled to 60 hours of paid leave per IVF cycle, for a maximum of three cycles.

The changes mean that for couples where one person is an egg donor and the other is receiving the donated egg, both parents will be entitled to 60 hours leave.

Abela said that the amendments were intended to match Malta’s IVF law to the wide range of individuals or couples who underwent the procedure and would also take into account the possibility that an IVF applicant may have a gender identity that differs from their physical characteristics. 

In other couples, only the recipient will be entitled to 60 hours, while the other person will be entitled to claim 40 hours of leave.  

The legal changes form part of the Employment and Industrial Relations Act and were unveiled by minister Carmelo Abela. 

The amendments were made after consultation with the Employment Relations Board as well as officials of the Embryo Protection Authority, and of the Human Rights and Integration Directorate.

“We believe that we should be supportive of all families, in their diversity, and also of individuals who are willing to give their children the opportunity to grow up in the love and affection they deserve,” Abela said. 

“Whoever wants to have a family with children, we as a Government have always been willing to help - and we will always continue to be there to help, not to hinder.”

IVF was introduced as a free medical service in 2013 and in 2018 the law was amended to make the service available to same-sex couples and single women. 

This article was updated to clarify that the amendments to the law allow for leave to be extended to single women and egg donors.