Maternity leave: Good for women, bad for business?

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Maternity leave: Good for women, bad for business?
The Senate bill expanding paid maternity leave to 100 days benefits mothers and mothers-to-be, but some worry it may harm employers and employees in the long run

MANILA, Philippines – Will the new Senate bill on paid maternity leave hurt female workers?

Some netizens seem to think so. 

Senate Bill No 2982 or the Expanded Maternity Leave Law of 2015, once passed into law, will give women the 100 days of paid maternity leave, an additional 30-day leave without pay, and a guarantee on her security of tenure (if applicable). 

While some netizens praised the move, others were worried for business and women’s employment.

On Twitter, people expressed their excitement over the bill and described it as a blessing for women.

Bad for business, employment

Others were less than enthusiastic, saying they were worried this would fuel discrimination against women in the workplace.

One of the main reasons is its effect on small businesses. One businesswoman, Lalaine Jimenea, commented on Rappler’s Facebook post: “I don’t want to sound callous, but as an employer of a small business, I am glad my staff are all already old to get pregnant. 100 days is just too long for small businesses.” 

Because hiring women, particularly those of childbearing age, would now seem like an added expense, some netizens think this discourages employers from hiring women. 

Netizen Lysser Sanchez-Cua commented: “Surely, they will prioritize those who are single cause this new incentive might affect companies’ productivity and I hope they will stop discriminating married women.”

For Shaquille Karol Igharas, the blowback of the bill reeked of inequality.

“It all goes to show that businesses (and politicians) here in the Philippines will prefer to employ men simply because they don’t want to give women their right to care for their child without losing their job which would mean more money out of their already brimming pockets,” she wrote.

Legal protections

Although people have expressed fears of possible discrimination, the Labor Code of the Philippines does offer women some protection.

Article 135 forbids employers from discriminating against women solely because of their sex. Women should not be paid less for equal work, and neither should they be passed over for opportunities on the basis of their sex. Article 136 and 137 protect women who want to marry or start a family from discrimination. 

The International Labor Organization’s Convention 183, or the Maternity Protection Convention, provides further protection for pregnant women. 

Employers cannot terminate a woman’s employment simply because of her pregnancy. Countries should also adopt the necessary measures to ensure pregnancy will not become a cause for discrimination.

While laws can offer some measure of security, implementation is another thing. One netizen, Mon Lunot Kuker, advised women “to be more vigilant,” but also hoped the government would “impose a stricter law to avoid discrimination.” – Bea Orante/Rappler.com

Pregnant woman image from Shutterstock

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