Expanded maternity leave won’t affect employment of women, says official
An elected government official has stressed that the extension of maternity leave to a period of 105 days will not discourage companies from employing women. In fact, according to Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr., a number of companies in the country have already expanded their maternity leave programs. Among them is business process outsourcing firm Accenture, which offers comparatively extensive maternity leave benefits to women. The BPO firm currently provides 120 days of paid maternity leave to its staff, Campos said. International Labor Organization Convention 183 sets the maternity leave benefit standard at 14 weeks. Under Republic Act 11210 which takes effect on March 7, workers availing themselves of the maternity leave period and benefits must receive their full pay.
