105-day maternity leave a 'motherhood premium'
NANCY HOPES PRES WILL SIGN LAW AS EARLY XMAS GIFT TO WORKING MOTHERS

Senator Nancy Binay expressed hope that the expanded maternity leave bill would be signed into law this October as an early Christmas gift to working mothers.

"I pray and hope na ngayong buwan ay maging ganap na batas na ang expanded maternity leave bill. If the President gets to sign it soon, then it will be an early Christmas gift to working mothers who carry the next generation of Filipinos," she said.

According to Binay, mothers working in the public and private sectors can avail of 105 days of paid maternity leave under the proposed law. The cap of four pregnancies is also removed by the measure, as all pregnancies will be covered.

"The 105-day maternity leave is a big step in giving particular attention to motherhood premiums. Ito ay isang pagkilala sa mga ginagampanang mahahalagang papel ng mga nanay sa lipunan, sa kanilang puhunang oras sa trabaho, at pagbibigay ng sapat na panahon sa pag-aruga sa kanilang mga anak," she added.

Binay said that companies and other institutions should not perceive the proposed law as a bane to productivity that would lead to more discrimination in the workplace.

"Bilang mga magulang at bilang isang bansa na may malasakit sa kapwa, wag nating isantabi ang kontribusyon ng kababaihan. Let us start creating a work environment where women are not discriminated for wanting to be parents," Binay pointed out.

In the Philippines, women have reached a high level of labor force participation but working mothers silently receive motherhood penalties and passed over for promotions and other career advancement because of motherhood duties.

"It pains me to see a mother cutting short the time to bond with her child and go back to work, especially during the crucial period of the infant's development. The State has a responsibility to provide a positive complement for women in the labor sector, and be mindful of their indespensable roles in society," Binay said.

ILO-COMPLIANT

Under existing laws, 60 days of maternity leave is granted for normal deliveries, while 90 days is given for caesarean births.

The 60-day provision does not necessarily allow sufficient time for a mother to truly bond and nurture her child after giving birth.

The bicameral version of the of the expanded maternity leave grants single mothers another 15 days of leave, while those who have miscarried will be granted 60 days leave.

An option for additional 30 days of unpaid leave is also provided under the bill.

"Karamihan sa mga nanay ay pinipiling magtrabaho dalawa o tatlong linggo bago manganak. Ito ay upang magamit nang husto ang kasalukuyang maternity leave sa pag-aalaga sa kanilang anak at sarili," she said.

Binay added that the passage of the law would guarantee the country's adherence to the International Labor Organization (ILO) standard of 98 days of maternity leaves.

"Some countries in Europe have recognized that mother and child bonding deserve a longer time, and allowed a year with pay for them. We will be at par with the International Labor Organization's (ILO) standard of 98 days or the ASEAN coverage of 93 days," Binay said.

Binay said that with the proposed law, the mother and child can have a longer rate of mother and child bonding, which have long term effects on the child's development and health.