Lawmaker bats for longer maternity leave

MANILA, Philippines - A lawmaker pushed yesterday for the enactment of a law extending maternity leave benefits, saying these should be in accordance with international standards.

Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo filed House Bill 2583, which extends the maternity leave to 84 days for normal deliveries and 100 days for women who undergo caesarian operations.

At present, the law allows 60 days’ maternity leave for normal deliveries and 78 days for caesarian deliveries.

Castelo said the International Labor Organization’s Convention No. 103 urges member countries to adopt maternity benefits sufficient for the full and healthy maintenance of the woman and her child in accordance with a suitable standard of living.

He said female employees covered by either the Social Security System (SSS) or the Government Security Insurance System (GSIS) shall be paid a daily maternity benefit equivalent to 150 percent of her present basic salary, allowances and other benefits or its cash equivalent for 84 calendar days.

“In the case of high-risk pregnancy or caesarian delivery the employee shall be paid the daily maternity benefit for 100 calendar days,” Castelo said.

He said maternity benefits shall be paid only for the first four deliveries, after which the payment of maternity benefits shall be advanced by the employer in two equal installments within one month from the filing of maternity leave application.

Under the bill, the SSS and GSIS shall immediately reimburse the 100-percent maternity benefits advanced by employer to their pregnant employees.

“This measure will surely help them cope with challenging times and challenging economic conditions,” Castelo said.

He cited Section 14 of Article XIII of the Constitution, which requires employers to provide safe and healthful working conditions for working women.

“The Constitution wants to address the plight of Filipino women by providing opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to realize their full potential in the service of the country,” Castelo said.