ILOILO City – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is encouraging working women in Western Visayas to avail themselves of the benefits of Republic Act (RA) 11210, or the Expanded Maternity Leave Law.
The law took full effect after President Rodrigo Duterte signed its Implementing Rules and Regulations on May 1, Labor Day.
DOLE Region 6 labor focal person Niezel Anen Sabrido reiterated that the new law brings more benefits to working mothers.
Under the law, the paid maternity leave is extended to 105 days – from previously 60 days for women with normal delivery and 78 days for those who went caesarean section.
“This law will give ample time and opportunity to women to recuperate after pregnancy,” said Sabrido. “Based on research, it takes 100 days for the body of women to recuperate from childbirth.”
The law also allows working mothers – regardless of civil status – to extend their leave for another 30 days, but without pay.
Single mothers, meanwhile, can have an additional 15-day paid leave.
Seven of the 105-day leave benefits are transferable to fathers. This may be claimed on top of the seven-day paternity leave provided under the 1996 Paternity Leave Act.
RA 11210 covers “all female workers in government and the private sector, including those in the informal economy, regardless of civil status or the legitimacy of the child.”
“Kon may issues sa mga employers naton nga wala naga-follow sang 105-days maternity leave, they can always raise it up either in DOLE or SSS (Social Security System) and we will surely assist them,” said Sabrido./PN
