Bicam panel approves bill granting 105 days of paid maternity leave

October 1, 2018

The bicameral conference committee approved Monday a bill seeking to grant the 105 day paid maternity leave for working mothers in public and private sectors with an option to extend it by 30 days without pay.

This was announced by Gabriela party-list Rep. Emmi de Jesus, one of the members of the bicameral panel, and Bagong Henerasyon partylist Rep. Bernadette Herrera- Dy, chairperson of the House committee on women and gender equality.

The committee reconciled Senate Bill No. 1305 and House Bill No. 4113 principally sponsored by former Democratic Independent Workers' Association (DIWA) party-list Rep. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, a former chairperson of the House committee on women and gender equality and a newly-appointed justice undersecretary by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The panel gave the option to transfer to paternity leave seven days out of 105 days maternity leave. The panel also granted an additional 15 days paid leave for single mothers.

The House version had 100 days maternity leave while the Senate sought for 120 days maternity leave.

The present law provides 60 days paid maternity leave for normal childbirth and 78 days for caesarian delivery. DMS