Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Women will be given 100 days maternity leave with pay under a measure addressing the plight of working women in the country.
Gabriela party-list Rep. Emmi De Jesus , one of the authors of House Bill 6399 or the 100-Day Maternity Leave Law, said the beneficiaries would get full pay based on their average weekly or regular wages, whether child delivery is through normal or caesarian.
In addition, a maternity leave of 30 days without pay can be availed of.
De Jesus said employees in the private sector who will employ of the maternity leave period and benefits must receive not less than two-thirds of their regular monthly wages.
The employers shall be responsible for the salary differential between the actual cash benefits received from the Social Security System (SSS) and their average or regular wages for the entire duration of the ordinary maternity leave, De Jesus said.
The bill, which also seeks to expand Republic Act 8282 or the Social Security Law, was endorsed for plenary approval by the Committee on Women and Gender Equality chaired by Bulacan Fourth District Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica.
Gabriella party-list Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan, co-author of the bill, said maternity is a vital social function played by women.
“The bill seeks to ensure maternity protection is not only a pay back to women but also enhances gender equality as mandated in the Constitution and the Magna Carta of Women,” Ilagan said.
Also read: Senate approves bill granting 100-day maternity leave
Cavite Second District Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla, also a co-author of the bill, said the Philippine Constitution recognizes the role of women in nation-building.
For Mercado-Revilla, it now becomes imperative that under whatever circumstances a pregnant woman is in, the State shall promote and protect her right.
The lawmaker said providing additional maternity leave for working mothers in the government and the private sector would give them sufficient time to take care of their new-born babies, bond with them, and regain their full health.
The bill also assures the security of tenure of female employees and exercise of this option shall not be used as basis for demotion in employment or termination and transfer to a parallel position or reassignment from one organizational unit to another in the same agency.
It designates the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the SSS to immediately conduct a review of the maternity leave benefits of women employees in the government service and the private sector.
The co-authors of the bill include Reps. Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo (Second District, Camarines Sur), Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (Second District, Pampanga), Emmanuel Pacquiao (Lone District, Sarangani), Mark Villar (Lone District, Las Piñas City), Antonio Tinio (Party-list, Act TEACHERS), Raymond Democrito (Party-list, TUCP), Rolando Andaya, Jr. (1st District, Camarines Sur), and Alfredo Vargas III (5th District, Quezon City).
