Groups laud signing of ‘landmark’ law on 105-day paid maternity leave

MANILA, Philippines — The Gabriela Women’s Partylist hailed Thursday the “much-awaited” signing of the expanded maternity leave more than a decade after it first pushed for the legislation that would grant a 105-day paid maternity leave to women workers.

“We in Gabriela Women’s Partylist welcome the much-awaited signing of the expanded maternity leave into law – more than a decade after we filed it,” the party-list group said in a statement, noting that various women’s groups and allies who actively campaigned for the law should also be credited.

“Today, women won over the combined forces of corporate lobby and misogynist mongering against the measure,” it added.

Akbayan party-list Rep. Tom Villarin, meanwhile, described the enactment of the law as a “decisive win for women workers and social justice.”

“After 26 years of labor and birthing pains, women workers have successfully given life to a landmark legislation that upholds the rights, wealth, and health of our country’s workforce,” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, February 20, signed into law the measure that would grant a 105-day paid maternity leave for female workers in the government and private sectors regardless of the type of childbirth.

READ: Duterte signs into law longer maternity leave benefits

The bicameral conference committee version of the measure states that seven days out 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.

The said maternity benefits could also apply to every instance of pregnancy or without limit, and grants an option to extend the leave to an additional 30 days without pay.

The current law allows a 60-day paid maternity leave for normal childbirth and 78 days for cesarean delivery.  /kga