Maternity leave rethink

The Herald, February 15, 1989

THE Public Service Commission will give further consideration to the recent issue of maternity leave in consultation with all interested people, the Secretary for the Public Service, Dr Sam Agere, said in a statement yesterday.

Maternity leave was recently slashed from 90 to 60 days with effect from the beginning of this month.

Cde Agere said the maternity leave issue was reported in the Press in such a way as to suggest that women were being disadvantaged.

“The Public Service will give further consideration to the matter in consultation with all interested persons,” he said.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

• Maternity leave refers to time off from work that a pregnant woman is entitled to as she prepares to give birth, recover after giving birth and to care for her new born baby or babies for the first few months after birth.

•   In some countries maternity leave is known as paternity leave because it applies to both men and women. The father of the child is also given time off to help his wife during the maternity period.

•    In Zimbabwe, maternity leave maternity leave falls under the Labour Amendment Act. According to the Act women are entitles to 98 days or slightly over three months of fully paid maternity leave.