MANILA — The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on second reading a bill seeking to increase the paid maternity leave period to 100 days for female workers in the government and private sector.
The lower chamber approved via viva voce House Bill 4113, otherwise known as the “100-Day Maternity Leave Law.”
The bill also grants an option to extend for an additional maternity leave of 30 days without pay.
Present laws allow women who had normal delivery to take 60 days of maternity leave; and 78 days if by caesarian section.
ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, one of the authors of the measure, said the current 60-day maternity leave is “extremely inadequate” and considered among one of the shortest maternity leave periods in the whole world, as per the International Labor Organization (ILO) convention.
“The proposed bill further assures the security of tenure of female workers and emphasizes that maternity leave shall not be used as basis for demotion in employment or termination,” Tinio said.
SSS members who have paid at least three monthly contributions in the 12-month period before the semester of their childbirth or miscarriage shall be paid their daily maternity benefit.
The Senate version has already been approved on third and final reading. (Filane Mikee Cervantes/PNA)
