100 Days Maternity Leave For Women Pushed

Women will be given 100 days maternity leave with pay under a measure addressing the plight of working women in the country.

Rep. Emmi A. De Jesus (Party-list, Gabriela), one of the authors of House Bill No. 6399, said the beneficiaries would get full pay based on their average weekly or regular wages, whether child delivery is through normal or caesarian. In addition, a maternity leave of 30 days without pay can be availed of.

De Jesus said employees in the private sector who will avail of the maternity leave period and benefits must receive not less than 2/3 of their regular monthly wages.

The employers shall be responsible for the salary differential between the actual cash benefits received from the Social Security System (SSS) and their average or regular wages, for the entire duration of the ordinary maternity leave, De Jesus said.

The bill, which seeks to expand Republic Act No. 8282, was endorsed for plenary approval by the Committee on Women and Gender Equality chaired by Rep. Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica (4th District, Bulacan).

Rep. Luzviminda C. Ilagan (Party-list, Gabriela), another author of the bill, said maternity is one vital social function played by women. “The bill seeks to ensure maternity protection is not only a pay back to women but also enhances gender equality as mandated in the Constitution and the Magna Carta of Women,” she said.

Rep Lani Mercado-Revilla (2nd District, Cavite), also an author of the bill, said the Philippine Constitution recognizes the role of women in nation-building. It now becomes imperative that under whatever circumstances a pregnant woman is in, the State shall promote and protect her right.

Mercado-Revilla emphasized the importance of maternity as a vital social function played by women and the need to protect their rights, especially those who are employed, and that of their infants to proper health.

Mercado-Revilla said providing additional maternity leave for working mothers in the government and in the private sector would provide them sufficient time to take care of their newborn babies, bond with them and regain their full health.

The bill assures security of tenure to female employee and exercise of this option shall not be used as basis for demotion in employment or termination and transfer to a parallel position or reassignment from one organizational unit to another in the same agency.

It designates the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the SSS to immediately conduct a review of the maternity leave benefits of women employees in the government service and the private sector.

The co-authors of the bill are Reps. Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo (2nd District, Camarines Sur), Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2nd District, Pampanga), Emmanuel Pacquiao (Lone District, Sarangani), Mark Villar (Lone District, Las Piñas City), Antonio Tinio (Party-list, Act TEACHERS), Raymond Democrito (Party-list, TUCP), Rolando Andaya Jr. (1st District, Camarines Sur) and Alfredo Vargas III (5th District, Quezon City). (PNA) SCS/PR/PJN