MANILA -- In line with her advocacy to promote the rights of women and mothers, Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Friday thanked President Rodrigo R. Duterte for signing the 105-day Expanded Maternity Leave (EML) law.
"This means that she will have more time to nurse her newborn child when the baby is at its most vulnerable (state). Further, this will give the mother (the) badly needed time to mend her body from the rigors of giving birth," Belmonte said in an interview.
"The mother will be able to return to the workplace, healed and assured that her child is healthy. The mother's happiness will mean she will be a better worker who will be more productive," Belmonte added.
Under the previous law, a working mother was entitled to a 60-day paid maternity leave. In case the childbirth was through Cesarean section, she was entitled to a total of 78 days.
Under the new EML, the working mother is entitled to a total of 105 days of paid leave. If the mother is a solo parent, she is entitled to an additional 15 days or a total 120 days of paid leave.
With the EMLL, the mother is also further given the right to ask and receive an extension of 30 days of unpaid leave.
"The EMLL far exceeds the recommendation of the International Labor Organization for a 98-day maternity leave. As a mother myself, I can tell all employers that this is really and truly a much-needed law. Nothing is as physically and psychologically harrowing an experience as giving birth. Nothing is as fear-inducing as the helpless cry of a newborn baby," Belmonte said.
"As Mayor of Davao City, President Duterte long-ago approved a city resolution extending the maternity leave. True to form, now as our President, he has shown his real colors as a pro-woman leader," Belmonte added. (PNA)
