House approves 100-day maternity leave bill

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives yesterday approved a bill lengthening maternity leave from the current 60 days to 100, with pay.

Under Bill 4113, pregnant female workers in the government and the private sector are entitled to a 100-day maternity leave, whether married or unmarried and whether the child delivery is normal or through caesarian section or there was a miscarriage.

In the case of a private sector employee, the bill requires her to notify her employer and the Social Security System of the probable date of her childbirth. She must have paid contributions to the SSS for three months in the 12-month period before delivery so she could avail herself of maternity benefits.

An employee whose employment is terminated would still be entitled to maternity leave if childbirth or miscarriage takes place not more than 15 days after termination.

Employers would be prohibited from demoting or decreasing the pay of a female worker on maternity leave.

The bill mandates the Department of Labor and Employment, Civil Service Commission and SSS to issue implementing rules and regulations.

The proposed measure would amend pertinent statutes on maternity leave.

Bill 4113 is a consolidation of 15 related measures. Their authors include Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. and Reps. Winnie Castelo of Quezon City, Gus Tambunting of Parañaque, Maximo Rodriguez Jr. of Cagayan de Oro City and the Makabayan bloc of leftist party-list representatives.