The
Partido Manggagawa (PM) welcomes the approval of the proposed Expanded
Maternity Leave (EML) law by Congress’ bicameral conference committee.
“It’s
really the fruit of collective efforts. It became possible when women workers,
trade unions and allies in Congress work hand in hand and doing campaigns in
many forms just to make things done for the sake of women, their children and
their families,” declared PM Secretary General Judy Miranda.
Partido
Manggagawa is part of Workers for EML (W4EML), a coalition of women groups in
the trade union movement which pushed for the passage of EML in both houses of
Congress.
Once
signed into law by the President, the current 60-day maternity leave benefits
will be increased to 105 days. This is one week (7 days) higher than the ILO
standard of 98 but it falls short of the 120 days approved by the Senate.
The
leave benefit is transferable. It also increases the paternity leave by 100%
and gives additional 15 days for solo parent. It likewise provides for
benefit is 60-day leave benefits for cases of miscarriage or termination of
pregnancy.
The
final version also mandates employers to cover the salary differential from the
P16,000 maximum cap approved by SSS. It also removed the current limit of four
pregnancies, adopting in effect the concept of freedom of choice in every
instance of pregnancy. ###
