Maternity and Work
Maternity Leave
Female workers are entitled to 12 weeks (84 days) of maternity leave with full pay. To qualify, the pregnant worker must provide a medical certificate issued by a medical practitioner or midwife indicating her delivery.
Maternity leave can be extended by two additional (2) weeks in case of caesarean delivery/abnormal birth or twin (or more) births. Further extention leave is also granted in case of illness due to pregnancy or childbirth, certified by the medical practitioner. However, the maximum limit of extended leave is not mentioned in the law.
Sources: § 57 (1 & 3-5) of the Labour Act 2003 (Act 651)
Income
Workers on maternity leave are entitled to full wages during the maternity leave. The maternity benefit is paid by the employer. A woman worker on maternity leave is entitled to her full remuneration and other benefits to which she is otherwise entitled.
Sources: § 57(2) of the Labour Act 2003 (Act 651)
Free Medical Care
There is no mention in the Labour Act about medical care however medical benefits are provided under the National Health Insurance Program. Maternity Care including ante-natal and post-natal care provided under National Health Insurance Regulations as minimum health care benefits.
Sources: § 19(1) of the National Health Insurance Regulations 2004; §112 of the National Health Insurance Act no. 852
Regulations on Maternity and Work
- Labour Act, 2003 (Act651)
- National Health Insurance Regulations 2004
