PCW Statement on the signing of the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law

The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) celebrates the enactment of Republic Act No. 11210 or the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave (EML) Law on February 20, 2019.

“We welcome the signing of the law as an advance Women’s Month gift for Filipino women and families. We thank President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and the legislators who championed and defended the law, for finally heeding the call of women,” PCW Chairperson Rhodora M. Bucoy said.

“We congratulate the women and men who supported and tirelessly lobbied for the expansion of the existing maternity leave benefits for almost 11 years since the proposal was first introduced in Congress,” Bucoy added.

The EML Law extends the current 60-day (78 days for caesarian section delivery for women workers in the private sector) paid maternity leave to 105 days, with an option to extend for additional 30 days of unpaid leave. Additional 15 days paid maternity leave shall also be granted to female solo parents.

The law also includes an option to share seven of the 105 days to the father of the child, in addition to the existing seven days paternity leave granted under Republic Act No. 8187. In the absence of the father, the seven days may be shared to an alternate caregiver chosen by the mother who may be a relative or her current partner. It applies to both the government and private sector employees, including those in the informal economy.

 “This law recognizes and acknowledges women’s vital role and contribution to the labor force, while giving them the opportunity to exercise their unique reproductive role. It gives women enough time and resources to recuperate, regain her full strength, and nurture her child after giving birth,” Bucoy explained.

The EML law shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. The Civil Service Commission, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Social Security System were tasked to craft its implementing rules and regulations within 60 days from effectivity of the law.

The EML is one of PCW’s 12 Women’s Priority Legislative Agenda (WPLA) for the 17th Congress.