Cebu traders, women clash on maternity bill

CEBU CITY, Philippines - The proposed bill extending maternity leave credits from at least 60 days to 120 days has generated mixed reactions. Two former Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) presidents Robert Go and Carlos Co have expressed disagreement over the bill, while women’s groups have rallied behind it. Gabriela Women’s Party Representatives Luzviminda Ilagan and Liza Maza have initiated the filing of an act that provides for leave credits two weeks before delivery and 14 weeks after. The two businessmen believe the bill is unnecessary while employers are already burdened by so many leaves and holidays. Go, of Prince Warehouse Inc., said the move will discourage employers from hiring women. Not all women will need a 3-month leave, he said. A short leave, in fact, will suffice for many women. “It is only in the Philippines that we keep on increasing leaves, wages and holidays without considering job generation, increasing unemployment, no available job for the new graduates and investors are packing and leaving due to the high cost of operation in the Philippines," Go said. Investors, he said, are going to other countries where labor is cheap. “They are cutting the number of personnel in their businesses in Cebu and are transferring to China and Vietnam," Go said. Job generation According to Go, if business operation cost is lower, job generation will go high, which is more important because it will reduce the umemployment rate. But if business slow down due to high operational cost, it may reduce their workforce to survive. “If businesses are closing down, those who have jobs may even lose their jobs after all," Go said. Carlos Co of Cebu Oversea Hardware said a two-month maternity leave is enough, and beyond that would become a heavy burden for employers. Co, who is also a commissioner of the Cebu Port Authority, said the proposal is also untimely while businesses are not doing well now. Meanwhile, Tessie Fernandez of Lihok Filipina, a non-government organization focusing on women issues, said the proposed bill will allow women ample time to prepare before delivery. “I have nothing against that. It will give mothers ample time to rest. It’s a good (bill). But it should not be the only bill since leave credits will be useless for some people if they will not be used," said Fernandez. Support To show their support for the bill, Lihok Filipina plans to embark on an information dissemination and signature campaign, among others. R.A. 7322 (An act increasing maternity benefits in favor of women workers in the private sector) provides for 60 days of maternity leave for a normal delivery and 78 days for Caesarian operation. But Gabriela, in its blog (gabrie-lanews.wordpress.com), pointed out that the International Labor Organization Convention 183 on Maternity Protection recommends for 120 days. Citing studies from the Health Alliance for Democracy, Ilagan said that ten mothers die daily due to pregnancy and childbirth. The same study shows infant mortality recorded at 25 per 1,000 live births in 2005 and maternal mortality was 162 per 100,000 live births in 2006. “Our country lags behind our neighbors in terms of granting maternity benefits and protection to women workers. This measure will help address the maternal and infant mortality rates in our country and ensure the health of both mother and child," said Ilagan. Meanwhile, Joy Lim, spokesperson of the Associated Labor Union (ALU), said that raising the maternity leave for women from two to three months will give mothers enough time to recover and care for their babies. Lim said that in some countries in Europe, maternity leaves go as long as six months since they consider women giving births as special. “For me, adding one month to the existing two months maternity leave is not an issue. I hope the employers will just consider it for humanitarian reason," Lim said. - Sun.Star Cebu