Maternity and Paternity Leave Bill sails through Senate

ISLAMABAD: The Senate, the upper house of the parliament on Monday passed the Maternity and Paternity Leave Bill, 2018, making it mandatory for employers to grant six-months paid maternity leave and three-months paid paternity leave.

Tabled by Pakistan People’s Party Senator Quratulain Marri, the bill was passed by a majority of voters.

The Maternity and Paternity Leave Bill 2018 moved by Senator Quratulain Marri has been passed by the Senate. The Government, however, opposed the bill.

— Senate of Pakistan (@SenatePakistan) January 27, 2020

According to the proposed bill , the leaves policy will be applicable in both public and private establishments in the federal capital territory.

After being approved from the Senate, the bill now be sent to the National Assembly for deliberations and consideration.

landmark progressive rights based legislation mandating Maternity & Paternity by #PPP passed the Senate. Labour rights be it to agriculture women in Sindh or working families across the country #PPP in keeping with its legacy as only party fighting & securing Labour rights in 🇵🇰 https://t.co/cEXazwDoRu

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) January 28, 2020

The bill says “The employees of every establishment shall be provided six-month paid maternity and three-months paternity leave as and when applied by employees, separately from their leave account, commencing from the date as applied by the applicant in the application and supported by a medical certificate.” Besides, the bill also provides for additional three-month maternity leave and one-month paternity leave, both of which would be unpaid.

The provision for paternity leave seeks to provide fathers the opportunity to be there at a crucial time without the added responsibility of the workplace and that the early close relationship between father and child has long-term implications.