Senate tackles bills increasing maternity leave

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate is working on increasing maternity leave for female employees from 60 days to at least four months.

The Senate committee on women, family relations and gender equality headed by Sen. Pia Cayetano tackled five bills proposing an increase in the maternity leave so that new mothers would be able to breastfeed their infants for a reasonable time and look after them without having to worry about rushing back to work.

Cayetano noted that the current law on maternity leave is outdated and must be amended to be more attuned to the present circumstances and to comply with international standards and policies.

She pointed out that the International Labor Organization prescribes a maternity leave of 14 weeks.