Senate Bill 1305, otherwise known as the “Expanded Maternity Leave Law of 2017″ was approved on the third and final reading last March 2017.
The new bill proposes a 120-days of Paid Maternity Leave to all female employees, either in government or private sector. This also includes mothers who are working as freelancers or a work-at-home conditions, regardless if they are legally married or not.
The proposal was welcome by expectant mothers with great joy and appreciation. The additional days could mean enough rest and recovery from the tolls of pregnancy and childbirth, and a perfect opportunity to spend time and take care of the new born baby.
The bill amended the Ruling on Section 14-A of RA 1161 provision as follows:
“Sec 14-A Maternity Leave Benefits”
A covered female employee who has paid at least three (3) monthly maternity contribution in the 12-month period preceding the semester of her childbirth, abortion or miscarriage and who is currently employed shall be paid a daily maternity benefit equivalent to 100% of her basic salary, allowances and other benefits OR the cash equivalent of such benefit for 60-days subject to certain conditions, such as;
That the employee shall have notified her employer of her pregnancy and the probable date of her childbirth which shall be transmitted to the SSS in accordance with the rules and regulations it may provide.
“Senate Bill 1305”
The SSS will cover the daily maternity benefit, computed based on the monthly salary credit of female employees in private sector. Private employees are required to cover the salary differential between the benefits received from SSS.
30-Days Leave Extension
The new mother is also given an option that after the 120-days leave, they can extend to another 30-days leave but without pay, provided she can give her employer a written notice at least 45 days before the end of the mandatory 120-days paid maternity leave.
150-Days Leave for Solo Parents/RA 8972
RA 8972 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act, which seeks also to allow single parents a 150-days paid maternity leave, plus the option to extend the same to another 30 days but without pay.
The new bill is applicable to both normal delivery and Caesarian section. It also covers all pregnancies or miscarriages. However this is only applicable to a woman’s first four(4) deliveries.
Other Important Provisions of Senate Bill 1305
* The full payment shall be advanced by employer within 30 days from the filing of the maternity leave application.
* Workers availing of the maternity leave leave period and benefits must receive not less than 2/3 of their regular monthly wages.
* Employers from the private sector shall be responsible for the payment of the salary differential between the actual cash benefit received from the SSS by the covered female workers and their average weekly or regular wages, for the entire duration of the ordinary maternity leave with some exceptions.
* Employees who avail themselves of theses benefits shall be assured of security of tenure. This can not be used as a basis for demotion in employment or termination. The transfer to a parallel position or re assignment from one organizational unit to another in the same agency shall be allowed provided it shall not involve a reduction of rank, status or salary.
The amended provisions shows a positive health impacts of paid parental leave for both mother and child, now granted extended time for parental care.
Source: Senate of the Philippines 17th Congress
May the information shared here could prove most helpful to all mothers and mothers-to-be. If you have questions or clarification, you may leave a message here.
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