(Top officials of DOLE, CSC, and SSS sign the IRR of RA 11210 during the 117th Labor Day celebration held in the City of San Fernando. PIA)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Working moms finally got a Labor Day victory!
The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Expanded Maternity Leave Law was signed here on Labor Day by top officials of the Department of Labor and Employment, Civil Service Commission (CSC) and Social Security System (SSS).
With the signing of the IRR, mothers from both the public and private sectors are now entitled to a 105-day maternity benefit, with an option to extend up to 30 days without pay as provided by the law which was signed by President Duterte last February.
Signing the IRR of RA 11210 or the Expanded Maternity Leave Law were CSC chair Alicia dela Rosa-Bala, SSS president and chief executive officer Aurora Ignacio and DOLE officials.
“Part of this also is the provision for the allocation of seven days paternity leave, regardless if the mother and father are married or not,” Bala said.
Solo mothers also get to enjoy an additional 15 days of maternity leave or equivalent of 120 days, she added.
For her part, Ignacio said although private companies may experience downtime if the employee will not report to work for 105 days, the law was enacted to give enough time for the mothers to take care of their babies.
“This is a protection for the women’s rights which should be understood by the employers. This is a holistic approach to the laws we implement in order to improve the lives of women, children and their families,” Ignacio pointed out.
She said this is timely for mothers to fully recover and at the same time advocate and practice breastfeeding.
The law took effect last March 11, meaning those who gave birth on or beyond that date are entitled to the benefit, she added.
