Minister of Labour, Small and Micro Enterprise Development Leroy Baptiste has announced that the government has approved the amendment of the Maternity Protection Act to address longstanding gaps, including paternity leave.
Minister of Labour, Small and Micro Enterprise Development Leroy Baptiste said that the government has approved the amendment of the Maternity Protection Act, which will not only positively impact mothers, but also fathers and adoptive parents.
“The right of fathers, biological fathers, and adoptive parents to leave when we have a situation of a mother delivering a baby. That, colleagues, will be addressed. And I want to stress, not just the biological fathers, but also for adoptive parents.”
Minister Baptiste said it will also allow parental leave for guardians and fathers in the event the mother dies.
The amendment of the act will also include breastfeeding breaks.
“Lactating mothers will be statutorily protected for time spent on breastfeeding or the expressing of breast milk. And they will be allocated time to do so. And let me add, time with pay. So they will not be penalized in that treating with the issue of breastfeeding.”
Minister Baptiste added that the amendments will also include anti -discrimination.
“The legislation will introduce explicit provisions prohibiting termination, demotion, reduced pay, or loss of opportunities due to pregnancy, maternity, paternity, parental leave, or breastfeeding breaks.”
The Labour minister also said women will no longer be penalized for becoming pregnant twice in one year.
He said as it stands, women can only apply for maternity benefits once in every 24 months, and that will be no more.
Minister Baptiste shared that Maternity Protection Act will be amended for whenever there is a pregnancy, women will be entitled to protection.