ILO
Maternity protection at work: it is everyone’s business.
Decent work is much more than just any work.
It is the root of social cohesion
and the trigger for poverty and inequalities reduction in all societies.
Maternity protection is a fundamental right at work
that is a benefit to each of us.
It is essential to guarantee that the work women do
does not pose risks to the health of the woman and her child,
and on the other hand that women’s reproductive role
does not compromise their economic and employment security.
Maternity Protection contributes to the achievements
of the Sustainable Development Goals.
What is maternity protection?
One, Health protection at the workplace,
Two, Paid Maternity Leave,
Three, Medical benefits,
Four, Protection of employment and non-discrimination,
Five, Breastfeeding arrangements at work.
Maternity Protection Standards are set out by two key instruments:
the Convention 183 and the Recommendation 191.
1. Health protection at the workplace:
Pregnant women should perform work in an environment
that is safe for their health and the health of the child.
They should not be exposed to working conditions
or substances at the workplace
that might pose risks during maternity.
2. Paid Maternity Leave: Maternity leave should not be less than 14 weeks,
including a 6 weeks’ compulsory leave after childbirth
to guarantee the mother’s and the baby’s health and well-being.
The loss of income resulting from maternity leave
should be compensated through cash benefits.
The cash benefit should be at least equal to two-thirds of previous earnings
and can be extended to 100%.
The paid maternity leave should be financed through
compulsory social insurance or public funds,
not by the employer alone.
Payment by the employer alone increases female labour costs
which in turn generates discrimination practices against women at work.
Contributions to a social insurance fund
must be made for all working men and women.
At a low cost, paid maternity leave ensures that the woman can maintain herself
and the child in proper conditions of health
and with a suitable standard of living,
benefiting to the society as a whole.
3. Medical benefits:
Timely access to quality health care
-including prenatal, childbirth and postnatal medical care-
are essential to guarantee healthy lives
and maintain productivity at work.
4. Protection of employment and non-discrimination.
In order to safeguard the employment of pregnant workers
and to combat all forms of discrimination
against women on the ground of maternity,
Women have the right to return to the same job
or an equivalent one with the same pay after their leaves,
and national laws must forbid dismissal on the ground of maternity
and its consequences.
5. Breastfeeding arrangements at work:
Breastfeeding women should have the right to one or more paid daily breaks
or paid reduction in working time for the purpose of breastfeeding.
Maternity protection at work is a right for all women
in both formal and informal economy
and a benefit to the entire society.
By protecting health and safety of the mother and the child,
and guaranteeing gender equality,
maternity protection contributes to improve child nutrition
and early child development
and to build a healthy and productive workforce,
which contribute to economic growth
and development of the Nation.
Maternity Protection at work,
it matters to everyone.