Maternity, Paternity bill presented to Parliament

A bill proposing an amendment to extend maternity leave from three months to four months has been introduced in Parliament.

The bill was submitted to the Clerk-to-Parliament on Friday, October 6, by Francis-Xavier Sosu, the Madina Member of Parliament (MP) for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The new bill, which is proposing to amend the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), is also seeking an option for an additional two weeks of maternity leave in the case of a caesarean section (CS), stillbirth(s) or multiple births.

The Labour (Amendment) Bill, 2023, also known as the “Parental Leave for All” bill, is promoting the implementation of paid paternity leave for fathers for a minimum of seven days and a maximum of four weeks, with the option of an additional two weeks in the event of a caesarean section, a stillbirth or multiple births of the spouse, and to address related issues.