100-day maternity leave OK is PH investment for robust future Filipino workers

ALU Statement on passage of 100-day Expanded Maternity Leave bill
September 4, 2018

Workers group Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) commends lawmakers for passing today Sept. 4, from third reading a bill that expands the paid maternity leave from the current 60 and 78 days to 100 days for women workers in private and public sectors and those working in informal economy regardless of civil status and legitimacy of child.

ALU-TUCP Vice President and Women' Committee head Eva Arcos said the passage of the House Bill 4113 or Expanded Maternity Leave (EML) is a sweet victory for Filipino women workers who have lobbied and belabored for the mandatory welfare for more than a decade.

The bill will be integrated in the bicameral committee meeting with Senate Bill 1305 or the 120-day Expanded Maternity Leave bill sponsored by Sen. Risa Hontiveros which was passed the Senate third reading on March this year.

Arcos said the Expanded Maternity Leave measure is the country's non-cash investment in producing a healthy, intelligent and well-developed future breed of Filipino workers without losing the wages and benefits of nursing moms during maternity period and without sacrificing their health and well-being, Arcos said.

TUCP Party-list rep. Raymond Mendoza said the bill gives mothers a minimum of 100 days to recover from giving birth and at the same time gives time to mother and child bonding, care and nurture that the child needs to become fully developed human being.