House approves bicameral report of expanded maternity leave bill

November 20, 2018

The House of Representatives on Monday, after reconsideration, ratified the bicameral report of the proposed law seeking to grant a 105-day paid maternity leave for expectant working mothers in public and private sectors.

Beneficiaries will also enjoy the option to extend an additional 30 days of their maternity leave without pay, and granting an additional 15 days for single mothers.

It harmonized House Bill (HB) No. 4113 and Senate Bill (SB) No. 1305 or the “105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law” after the House of Representatives and the Senate reconsidered its ratification last November 13.

The reconsideration was an offshoot of the need for the bicameral  conference committee to remove the tax exemption and appropriations provisions of the bill, which were rejected by the Departments of Finance (DoF) and of Budget and Management (DBM).

On October 3, 2018, the House of Representatives first ratified the measure until it was reconsidered last November 13.

The bill stipulates all covered female workers in the government and in the private sector, including those in the informal economy, regardless of civil status or the legitimacy of her child, shall be granted the 105-day maternity leave with full pay.

The maternity leave shall be enjoyed by employees in every instance of pregnancy, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy, regardless of frequency. However, a 60-day leave with full pay shall be granted to workers for cases of miscarriage or emergency termination of pregnancy.

The bill also provides security of tenure for the female workers, whether in the government service or the private sector. Thus using this benefit shall not be used as grounds for demotion or termination.

The measure also intends to avoid discrimination of employers against beneficiaries of the measure, which may take place in order to avoid the granting of leave credits to the latter. DMS