PRRD signs Expanded Maternity Leave bill into law

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte leads the ceremonial signing of the Revised Corporation Code and the Universal Health Care Act at the Malacañan Palace on February 20, 2019. RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed into law a bill that extends the maternity leave of female workers in the country from 60 to 105 days with full pay, Malacañang said on Thursday.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, in a statement, said Duterte signed the Expanded Maternity Leave bill into law on Wednesday.

Former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher “Bong” Go also confirmed in a separate statement that Duterte signed the bill.

“Indeed, this new law ensures expectant working mothers enough time to ensure the best possible conditions for a healthy delivery,” he added.

Won’t hurt women’s careers

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said he believes the Expanded Maternity Leave will not hurt the employability of women or make employers reluctant to hire them.

Panelo said employers should consider giving women additional leaves and benefits as part of their “social service.

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“Yung dagdag ng (the expanded) maternity leave–number of days as well as the benefits–that will only lessen the profits. Eh malaki naman talaga ang profit ng mga employers (Employers are already earning so much),” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

“Kumbaga, social service nila ‘yun (They should consider it as a forum of social service),” he added.

Panelo noted that employers who would not hire women to prevent paying for leaves and benefits will be held accountable.

“Aba’y bawal ang discrimination sa’ tin (Discrimination is prohibited in our country), they will be accountable to that. (So) I don’t think they will,” Panelo said.

“Saka mga Pilipino (And Filipinos are), family-oriented, these industrialists, businessmen will understand,” he added.

Follow the law

Panelo encouraged employers to follow the new law, regardless of what is stipulated in their companies’ rules and regulations.

”They will have to follow the law now. Wala na silang (They don’t have a choice) choice, they will have to follow the law,” Panelo said.

The Expanded Maternity law grants 105 days of paid maternity leave to all working mothers in government and private sector with an option to extend their leaves for another 30 days without pay.

Meanwhile, female workers qualified as solo parents will also get additional 15 days of leave.

The International Labor Organization Maternity Protection Convention of 2000 has set the maternity leave to 14 weeks, including a period of six weeks compulsory leave after childbirth.

Prior to the signing of the law, the Philippines is one of the ASEAN countries that have the shortest maternity leave duration aside from Malaysia.