IRR for Expanded Maternity Leave Act signed

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga — The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Expanded Maternity Leave Act was signed Wednesday by heads of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Civil Service Commission (CSC), and the Social Security System (SSS).

The Expanded Maternity Leave Act was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte last February and would grant 105 days of paid maternity leave with option to extend for 30 days without pay.

JUST IN: Top officials from DOLE, CSC, and SSS sign the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Expanded Maternity Leave Act | @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/OMt8oUXc0c

— Christia Ramos (@christiaramos_) May 1, 2019

READ: Expanded Maternity Leave Act: ‘A victory for women, families’

Solo mothers will also get additional 15 days of leave.

The maternity law provides female workers in the government and private sectors 105 days of paid maternity leave credits regardless of the type of childbirth.

The previous law on maternity leave only allowed a 60-day paid maternity leave for normal childbirth and 78 days for cesarean delivery.

A victory for all

Senator Risa Hontiveros, who is the principal sponsor and author of the measure in the Senate, hailed the signing and release of the law’s IRR.

“I welcome this development as this ensures the full implementation of the law and that all women will benefit from the measure,” the senator said in a statement.

“This is certainly good news to all women workers and their families who have patiently waited for the law’s IRR,” she added.

She also extended her gratitude to the concerned government agencies, different legislative offices, and labor groups “for tirelessly working to craft and finalize the law’s IRR.”

“Tagumpay nating lahat ito!” she added. /je