MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives approved on its second reading the bill seeking to increase the maternity leave of government and private female employees for up to 100 days and can be extended to another 30 unpaid days.
Various women’s group rejoiced at the passage the House Bill 4113 or the “100-Day Maternity Leave Bill” at the Congress today, Tuesday. The bill will revise the current law allowing women to take a paid leave of 60 days for normal childbirth and 78 days for cesarean delivery. Under HB 4113, women can now have longer time to recuperate and care for their newborn from 60 up to 100 paid days. The extension for another 30 unpaid days requires a prior notice to the employer at least 45 days before the maternity leave ends.
Gabriela Women’s Party supported the step towards an improvement in the reproductive health care of working women. Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Emmi de Jesus said, “The passage of a law that will expand maternity leave is a big and a significant step forward in developing reproductive health for working Filipino women nationwide.”
But the women’s group also warned that they will be pushing for an additional provision to give penalties against employers who will use the maternity leave to discriminate pregnant workers.
Several members of Breastfeeding Pinays were also present during the plenary session at the Congress to give their support.
Everyone will benefit from the expanded maternity leave
The Philippine Commission on Women lauds the success but gave a reminder that the bill still needs the final nod in the Congress for female workers to enjoy it. They urged the public to ask their district representatives to support the bill’s approval.
The commission also reiterated that the expanded maternity leave will not only benefit the female employees and their families but even the employers and the economy.
Benefits for business:
Benefits for mothers:
Benefit for the family:
Benefits for the children:
— Sally, The Summit Express
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| Are you planning for a baby? This is good news! |
Various women’s group rejoiced at the passage the House Bill 4113 or the “100-Day Maternity Leave Bill” at the Congress today, Tuesday. The bill will revise the current law allowing women to take a paid leave of 60 days for normal childbirth and 78 days for cesarean delivery. Under HB 4113, women can now have longer time to recuperate and care for their newborn from 60 up to 100 paid days. The extension for another 30 unpaid days requires a prior notice to the employer at least 45 days before the maternity leave ends.
Gabriela Women’s Party supported the step towards an improvement in the reproductive health care of working women. Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Emmi de Jesus said, “The passage of a law that will expand maternity leave is a big and a significant step forward in developing reproductive health for working Filipino women nationwide.”
But the women’s group also warned that they will be pushing for an additional provision to give penalties against employers who will use the maternity leave to discriminate pregnant workers.
Several members of Breastfeeding Pinays were also present during the plenary session at the Congress to give their support.
Everyone will benefit from the expanded maternity leave
The Philippine Commission on Women lauds the success but gave a reminder that the bill still needs the final nod in the Congress for female workers to enjoy it. They urged the public to ask their district representatives to support the bill’s approval.
The commission also reiterated that the expanded maternity leave will not only benefit the female employees and their families but even the employers and the economy.
Benefits for business:
- Increases women labor force participation and boosts over-all productivity
- Reduces unemployment rate and absenteeism in the workplace
Benefits for mothers:
- Gives women sufficient time to rest, recuperate and regain their full health
- Provide an opportunity for every woman to exclusively breastfeed for a longer period and develops mother-infant bonding
Benefit for the family:
- Promotes shared parenting and shared household responsibility
Benefits for the children:
- Helps ensure babies are breastfed exclusively from the minute they are born
- Improves a child’s rate of survival, optimal growth and development
— Sally, The Summit Express
