Labor group discloses 'errors' in computing maternity leave benefits

A workers group on Friday said there are flaws in the computation of maternity leave benefits of female workers in the private sector.

Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines vice president Eva Arcos said the 2017 Labor department handbook on workers’ benefits provides that maternity leave benefits are given “in lieu of wages” and “may not be included in computing the employee’s 13th month pay.”

In pointing out the flaw in the computation, Arcos cited Social Security System's cap of P16,000 on monthly maternity leave benefit.

“Papaano yung mga kumikita ng mataas sa P16,000? Bukod pa diyan sa may financial implications ay discriminatory yan.”

She insisted that female workers must still be paid their monthly wages in full while on maternity leave, if their monthly wages exceed P16,000.

Also, she pointed out that paternity, parental and Violence Against Women and Children leaves are all paid in full.

The error, according to her,  may still be corrected by the bicameral conference committee tackling the proposed expanded maternity leave benefits when its members meet to reconcile the versions of the two chambers of Congress.

The House of Representatives recently approved a 100-day expanded maternity leave benefit, while the Senate had approved 120 days. —LBG, GMA News