SSS Ensures Implementation of Expanded Maternity Leave Law

Female members of the Social Security System (SSS) laud the signing of the Expanded Maternity Leave Law or the Republic Act 11210.

SSS, along with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Commission on Civil Service, prepared the Implementing Rules and Regulations which was signed exactly on Labor Day.

Under the law, mothers from both the public and private sector are now entitled to a 105-day maternity benefit.

“We are ensuring that the 105-day paid maternity leave is implemented for private sector employees who are members of SSS,” Christian Andrew Rillorta, regional communications officer for Luzon North I Division, said during the weekly episode of Tungtungan iti Tangatang (Discussion on Air) of the Philippine Information Agency – La Union.

Rillorta added, “The SSS member must have at least three months of contribution within the 12-month period immediately before the semester before she is expected to deliver and submit to their employer an accomplished maternity notification.”

For voluntary members, maternity notification must be submitted personally to the nearest SSS branch.

The 105 days of paid maternity leave shall be applicable to both normal childbirth and caesarian delivery.

Further, additional 15 paid days can be availed of by solo working mothers.

Those who suffered miscarriage and emergency termination cases can be granted 60 days of paid leave.

Meanwhile, mothers now have the option to share seven days from the 105 days to the father or whoever will take care of the baby.

The maternity leave can also be extended for another 30 days but without pay.

“The amount of maternity benefit our SSS member can receive depends on the amount of her regular contribution,” Rillorta said.

With the new law, SSS members can enjoy a maximum financial assistance to P70,000, based on the monthly salary credit of P20,000.

President Duterte signed RA 11210 February 20 this year while the law took effect March 11 after it was published in a national broadsheet. (JNPD/JDS/PIA- La Union)