Stakeholders Engagement Will Strengthen Private Bill for Maternal Leave Extension- Sosu
The Member of Parliament for Madina in the Greater Accra Region, Francis-Xavier Sosu, has said an engagement with stakeholders would go a long way to strengthen the proposed Private Member Bill for the extension of Maternal leaves in Country.
According to him, inputs from the stakeholders, especially gender based organization and other civil societies would make the Bill clean devoid of loopholes that would negated its purpose.
The Private Member’s Bill sponsored by the Madina MP is proposing the maternal leave from three to four months, and also the introduction of paternal leave for men.
The Bill which is currently at the Legislative Drafting Office of Parliament would be submitted to the Speaker after a thorough stakeholders’ engagement.
The Bill is also seeking to abolish taxes on sanitary pads and other maternity related issues.
In all, 35 per cent tax made up of import duty and Valued Added Tax has been charged on sanitary pads.
Speaking to Journalists after the postponement of the scheduled stakeholders engagement on Monday, Francis-Xavier Sosu explained that new bill sought to amend the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651 ) in order to extend the period of maternity leave for women from three months to four months with option of additional two weeks in the case of caesarean , stillbirth(CS).
He noted that the Bill is also introducing paid paternity for men for a minimum period of seven days and maximum period of four weeks with option for additional 14 days in the case of caesarean , stillbirth(s) or multiple delivery of spouse and related matters.
The MP however urged stakeholders,especially Gender Based organizations to bring their proposal that would help make the Bill clean for enactment.
Source: expressnewsghana.com
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