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IN PRE-LABOR DAY DIALOGUE

Hontiveros appeals House to pass expanded maternity leave bill


Senator Risa Hontiveros appealed for the passage of expanded maternity leave bill in the House of Representatives in her pre-Labor Day dialogue with workers and labor leaders on Saturday in Quezon City.

She said, "After 25 years, an enhanced maternity leave policy on par with international standards and which can truly address the physical, mental and economic burden of pregnancy is now closer to reality."

"Pero, hindi pa tapos ang laban. Bagama't naipasa na ng Senado ang kanyang bersyon ng Expanded Maternity Leave Bill, hindi pa ito naipapasa sa Kongreso," the senator said.

 

Pre-Labor Day dialogue in Quezon City, April 29, 2017. --Voltaire Domingo/NPPA images

Early last March, the Senate approved, with 22 affirmative votes, the bill increasing maternity leave to 120 days. 

"Kung ihahambing sa pagbubuntis, konting ire na lang at isisilang na ang Expanded Maternity Leave Law." 

"We all need to understand that an expanded maternity leave bill does not mean a vacation for mothers. Hindi bakasyon ang hinihingi ng mga nanay at kababaihan kundi pagkilala sa kanilang natatanging papel bilang tagapagdala ng buhay sa mundong ito," she added.

Hontiveros, sponsor of the measure in the Senate, noted that the last time the number of maternity leave was increased was 25 years ago.

During the dialogue with labor leaders and workers, Hontiveros also made a pitch for the end of contractualization in country.

Labor  groups on Saturday made preparations as they lined up their various activities for the observance of the International Labor  Day on May 1. —LBG, GMA News

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