The House of Representatives on Monday ratified the 105-day paid maternity leave for female workers in the government and private sectors regardless of the type of childbirth.
The ratification happened during the lower chamber’s afternoon session. This development came after the bicameral conference committee (bicam) – tasked to reconcile House Bill No. 4113 and Senate Bill No. 1305 – reconsidered their approval of the measure last November 13.
The panel removed the tax exemption and appropriations provisions of the bill which the Department of Finance and Department of Budget and Management earlier rejected.
The bicam version of the bill states that seven days of the 105 days maternity leave could be allocated for paternal leave, while an additional 15 days of paid leave may be availed by solo mothers.
Once enacted into law, availing maternity benefits would also apply to every instance of pregnancy or without limit.
The harmonized proposed measures likewise grants an option to extend the leave to an additional 30 days without pay.
The current law only allows a 60-day paid maternity leave for normal childbirth and 78 days for cesarean delivery.
The Senate ratified the reconsidered bicam report on the proposed measure last November 14. The bill will then be sent to President Rodrigo Duterte for signature and enactment into law. /kga