The Maternity Leave Benefits

The gestation spot communicate BenefitsThe governments of every high-income economy in the macrocosm live with measures to support parents in their efforts to direction for vernalinnate(p) electric s supportrren. These policies reflect the topic interest in promoting the health and healthful-being of infants and young shaverren as well as societys recognition that the runner months and years of a small frys life want substantial and sustained charge from parents.THE LEGAL BACKGROUND OF pregnancy pass on BENEFITS IN THE PHILIPPINESThe words of the legality itself, as guaranteed and embodied in no less than the highest and fundamental virtue of the land, affords utmost protection and safety to women, f and so oning into high consideration their agnatic functions. The ex human activity provision avowingto oft(prenominal) mark hind end be found in phrase XIII, Section 14 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution2, which states thatSection 14. The State shall protec t working women by providing safe and healthful working conditions, taking into throwaway their motherlike functions, and such facilities and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to realize their bountiful potence in the work of the nation. such intent of the law is further reiterated and emphasised in the provisions of Article 133 of the Labor Code of the Philippines as it expressly recognizes the need for, and grants to women employees Maternity Leave Benefits. The exact provisions of said Article 133 are as followsART. 133. Maternity get around realises.3Every employer shall grant to some(prenominal)(prenominal) pregnant woman employee who has rendered an aggregate avail of at least(prenominal) vi (6) months for the last twelve (12) months, pregnancy kick in of at least devil (2) weeks prior to the expected date of address and an opposite four (4) weeks after normal spoken language or abortion with full move over establish on her fir m or average weekly wages. The employer whitethorn get hold of from any woman employee applying for maternalism trust the production of a aesculapian certificate stating that speech communication will probably take place indoors twain weeks.The bringliness lend shall be extended with reveal pay on account of illness medical exam checkuply certified to arise out of the pregnancy, delivery, abortion or still nascency, which renders the woman unfit for work, unless she has earned unused moderate assign from which such extended leave behind may be charged.The maternal quality leave addd in this Article shall be nonrecreational by the employer nevertheless for the archetypal four (4) deliveries by a woman employee after the effectivity of this Code. some other statutory provision which further upholds the governments intent in providing women employees certain benefits in relation to the exercise of their maternal functions is Section 14-A of major(ip)ity rule pu t to work zero(prenominal) 1161 (An Act to Create a Social Security System Providing Sickness, Unemployment, Retirement, balk and Death Benefits for Employees), better known as the Social Security Law. It more(prenominal) specifically provides for the conditions on how such benefits can be availed of.Section 14-A. Maternity Leave Benefit.4 A cover female employee who has paid at least three monthly maternity contri stillions in the twelve-month period preceding the semester of her accouchement, abortion, or abortion and who is currently employed shall be paid a workaday maternity benefit equivalent to whiz hundred per cent of her introduce elemental salary, allowances and other benefits or the cash equivalents of such benefits for sixty years musical theme to the following conditionsThat the employee shall hire notified her employer of her pregnancy and the probable date of her tiddler turn ining which identify shall be transmitted to the SSS in ac cordance with th e rules and regulations it may provideThat the payment shall be advanced by the employer in two represent installments within thirty days from the filing of the maternity leave finishingThat in case of caes celestial sp heren delivery, the employees shall be paid the day-after-day maternity benefit for seventy-eight daysThat payment of daily maternity benefits shall be a bar to the recovery of sickness benefits provided by this Act for the selfsame(prenominal) compensable period of sixty days for the same childbirth, abortion, or miscarriageThat the maternity benefits provided under this section shall be paid only for the depression four deliveries after March 13, 1973That the SSS shall immediately repay the employer of one hundred per cent of the mensuration of maternity benefits advanced to the employee by the employer upon recognise of satisfactory proof of such payment and legality thence andThat if an employee should lead birth or suffer abortion or miscarriage witho ut the call for contributions having been remitted for her by her employer to the SSS, or without the latter having been previously notified by the employer of m of the pregnancy, the employer shall pay to the SSS damages equivalent to the benefits which said employee would otherwise have been authorise to, and the SSS shall in turn pay such amount to the employee concerned.The aforesaid(prenominal) provision was amended in the year 1992 by Republic Act no. 7322 entitled, An Act increase Maternity Benefits in favor of Women Workers in the Private Sector, Amending for the Purpose Section 14-A of Republic Act No. 1161, as Amended, and for Other Purposes. The exact words of the law as taken from the said statute are as followsSEC. 14-A. Maternity Leave Benefit.5-A covered female employee who has paid at least three monthly maternity contributions in the twelve-month period preceding the semester of her childbirth, abortion or miscarriage and who is currently employed shall be pa id a daily maternity benefit equivalent to one hundred percent (100%) of her present basic salary, allowances and other benefits or the cash equivalent of such benefits for sixty (60) days subject to the following conditionsThat the employee shall have notified her employer of her pregnancy and the probable date of her childbirth which notice shall be transmitted to the SSS in accordance with the rules and regulations it may provideThat the payment shall be advanced by the employer in two equal installments within thirty (30) days from the filing of the maternity leave applicationThat in case of caesarean delivery, the employee shall be paid the daily maternity benefit for seventy-eight (78) daysThat payment of daily maternity benefits shall be a bar to the recovery of sickness benefits provided by this Act for the same compensable period of sixty (60) days for the same childbirth, abortion, or miscarriageThat the maternity benefits provided under this Section shall be paid only for the first four deliveries after March 13, 1973That the SSS shall immediately reimburse the employer of one hundred percent (100%) of the amount of maternity benefits advanced to the employee by the employer upon receipt of satisfactory proof of such payment and legality on that pointof andThat if an employee should give birth or suffer abortion or miscarriage without the required contributions having been remitted for her by her employer to the SSS, or without the latter having been previously notified by the employer of the prison term of the pregnancy, the employer shall pay to the SSS damages equivalent to the benefits which said employee would otherwise have been entitled to, and the SSS shall in turn pay such amount to the employee concerned.It is requisite to point out that the maternity leave benefits apt(p) in the same provisions are applicable only to women employees working in the soulfulnessal sectors. The proper and applicable statutory basis for maternity leave benefits disposed(p) to employees of the public sector is Commonwealth Act No. 647.6Such act which provides the female workforce employed in public and government offices and agencies with benefits akin(predicate) to those employed in the private sector explicitly states thatSECTION 1. hook up with women who are permanently or temporarily appointed in the service of the Government, or in any of its branches, subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, including the corporations and enterprises owned or controlled by the Government, shall, in addition to the vacation and sick leave which they may wonder now, be entitled in case of pregnancy to a maternity leave of sixty (60) days subject to the following conditions persistent and regular employees who have rendered two or more years of continuous service shall be entitled to maternity leave with full payPermanent and regular employees who have rendered less than two years of continuous service, shall be entitled to half pay and, Temporary employees shall be entitled to maternity leave without pay and shall be readmitted to the service at the end of their leave. No employee shall be refused readmission to the service on the ground of absence on account of maternityAwarding such benefits to women employees is unmistakably a considerate and openhearted initiative of the Philippine government. However, there might be a necessity to look into the sufficiency of the sixty (60) days and seventy-eight (78) days of leave, periods of fourth dimension for which the law providessuch leave benefit. In determining the adequacy of leave era, it is but basic to consider (a) how long thebody needs to fully recover from delivery, each by dint of a normal vaginal delivery or through and through a caesarean delivery birth considering that it is free from complications and, (b) the female parently needs of a new innate(p)(p)child immediately after birth.THE MODES OF CHILDBIRTHNormal automatic vaginal Delivery (NSVD) i s the most everyday and safest mode of child delivery. It is the serve well wherein fetal expulsion is accomplished when the nestling passes through and out of the vaginal canal. It commonly requires minimal medical intervention as it is the normal and natural rule that humans deliver an offspring. Naturally, due to factors such as uterine massiveness stretching, hormonal changes, and placental age, the uterus is stimulated and begins to contract. Also, the babys head which puts direct instancy on the neck porta causes its effacement and dilatation the process by which the cervix shortens in length and thins out while enlarging or widening the hypothesis of the cervical canal. With the subsequent intermittent contractions of the uterus and the effacement and dilatation of the cervix, unneurotic with frequentfetal authority changes to keep the smallest diameter of the fetal head always presenting to the smallest diameter of the maternal pelvis, and with the natural pull o f gravity as well, the fetus is propelled through the birth canal and out of the mothers system.7However, in some instances and due to some abnormalities in the dynamics of childbirth, the fetus cannot cost-effectively and effectively propel itself out of the birth canal. In such cases, the use of assistive devices such as a vacuum or forceps is necessary to guide and draw out the child from the mothers womb safely.8It is not in all instances that a vaginal delivery or childbirth is possible. Some occurrences necessitate and require the assumption of pick methods of childbirth. Problematic occurrences such as,(a) multiple gestation (b)unusual fetal position and display in relation to the vaginal passage (c) cephalopelvic disproportion -either the fetus is too speculative for the maternal passage, or the diameter of the maternal pelvic, cervical, or vaginal opening is too small for the fetus to pass(d)a dysfunctional labor such as an ineffective uterine contraction force, uncoord inated contractions, uterine rupture, or inversion of the uterus(e) anomalies of the placenta or the umbilical cord such as placenta succenturiata, placenta circumvallata, vasa previa, the prolapse of the umbilical cord, the presence of a two-vessel cord, and an unusual umbilical cord length or (f) an emergency situation causing severe fetaldistress, prohibit the fetus from being born(p) safely and normally through a vaginal delivery and are thus, among the reasons for which such alternative options need to be implemented.9A abdominal delivery delivery or birth is the most common alternative intervention medically advised when a Normal Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery is gravely hazardous and threatening to the mother or the child, or some(prenominal). This method can also be voluntarily selected by women who do not want to go through the pain and aggravation of the normal processes oflabor and subsequently, childbirth. Caesarean Delivery is the mode of birth accomplished through a n abdominal whoreson into the uterus. It is always slightly more hazardous than vaginal birth. But, rest assured, it is one of the safest types of surgeries and among those with few complications.10A Caesarean Section (CS) functional achievement is accomplished by making an scrape on the abdominal area which cuts open the uterus and allow for the child to be drawn out of the mothers body. As opposed to a normal vaginal delivery where the medical team waits for the natural expulsion of the placenta, the procedure of Caesarean birth includes the manual of arms removal of the placenta. Afterwhich, the internal cavity of the uterus is inspected and the membrane fragments, together withcoagulated race components and other foreign matters are taken out before the incision is closed. The healing period of this surgical procedure is dependent on several(prenominal) factors including the womans general health condition, her age, nutritional status and fluid and electrolyte balance. How ever, a major determining aspect is the type of incision made during the operation. A Caesarean section is done by performing either a untainted caesarean incision (vertical incision) or a low segment incision (transverse incision, also known as the bikini cut). Between the two aforementioned incisions, the latter is more preferred as it cuts through the non-active portion of the uterine muscle, thus, it allows for a subsequent vaginal birth of future pregnancies. Another emolument of the low segment cut is its faster healing quantify than a classic incision, and a decreased risk for post-delivery complications.11Due to its being surgical in nature, a Caesarean birth method usually necessitates more attention and takes a longer recovery period than that of a vaginal delivery.The postpartum, peurperium, or post-partal periodis the time after the delivery of the new born up to the full recovery of the mother wherein psychological and physiological changes occur to retrace the woma ns mind and body to its pre-pregnant state. This progression is applicable to some(prenominal) vaginal delivery and Caesarean birth methods. Physiological changes in the post-partal period relate both specifically to the reproductive system and to the systemic physiological condition as well. In the post-partal phase the uterus shrinks and reverts to its approximate pre-pregnancy size of it and position, the inner membranes and uterine lining slough off and develop into the discharge of lochia a vaginal excretion composed of blood, membrane fragments and mucus, the cervix and the vagina contract and revert to its pre-pregnancy size and diameter. All these events are encompassed in the course of involution, the hallmark process of the postpartum period. Together with involution, changes in the hormonal, circulatory, urinary, gastrointestinal, and integumentary systems also occur to entirely lease back the womans pre-pregnancy physiologic condition.In general, the immediate post- partal period for both vaginal and Caesarean modes of delivery ranges from six (6)to eight (8) weeks or more, putting into consideration that the mother does not develop any postpartum complications. Though, it must be stress that a womans body is not fully restored to its pre-pregnant physiology until six (6) moths after delivery.12 postulate OF A NEW BORN CHILDDuring the labor and delivery process, the focus on and attention fully belongs to the mother, the childbearer. Conversely, after the delivery process, such focus and attention is shifted to the new born child. Newborns undergo profound physiologic changes at the jiffy of birth as they are released from a warm, snug, dark, liquid-fill surroundings that has met all of their basic needs into a chilly, unbounded, brightly lit, gravity-based, outside world.13As the child is incompetent of providing its needs, it becomes fully dependent on the caregiver who, in most instances, is the mother. In viewing the new born holistical ly, such needs can be classified into two categories the physiologic and the psychological necessities.Encompassed in the new born childs physical needs is (a)the imperative need for thoraxfeeding -it is universally agreed that breast milk is the preferred methodof feeding a new born because it provides numerous health benefits to both the mother and the child, unless there are existing contraindications such as infant galactosemia, herpes lesions on the mothers nipples, maternal exposure to radioactive compounds, breast cancer, maternal active and untreated tuberculosis, hepatitis B or C, etc. (b) the adherence to a feeding-on-demand scheme a new born child should be fed anytime, most preferably breastfed, whenever such is demanded (c) the observance of a undifferentiated sleeping pattern a newborn infant baby sleeps an average of 16 (16) of every twenty-four (24)hours, an average of 4 hours at a time (d) maintenance of a proper sleeping position a newborn should be positi oned on theback for sleep as this has shown to decrease the incidence of the choppy Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), asudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than 1 year of age (e) on-time vaccination and screening tests and, (f) proper diaper area care proper diaper area care and preventing diaper dermatitis is a practice that parents usually tend to neglect.Another aspect of the new born childs needs is the psychological part. According to a study aided by the UNICEF, between the ages of zero and five years, critical aspects of childrens physical, cognitive, emotional, social and spiritual developments take place. The events which take place in a childs early life can impact upon their development over the rest of their lifespan.14A new born childs psychological needs are just as important as the physical ones. Babies need touch and attention from their caregivers to thrive. Cuddling, singing, talking and reading to the baby are all ways to cement the bond between newborn an d caregivers. Letting a newborn know he is loved will help him grow into a secure child.15Erik Erikson, one of the pillar theorists of Psychology, set the eight (8) stages of Psychosocial Development that a person goes through from birth to death. coiffe one (1) of which involves the psychological developmental conflict of a newborn from birth to one (1) year, and this is trust versus mistrust. According to Erikson, the baby will develop a sense of trust only if the parent or caregiver isresponsive and consistent with the basic needs being met.Babies who are not securely connect to their mothers are less cooperativeand are more aggressive in their interactions. And as they growolder, they become less competent and sympathetic with peers. They also tend to exploretheir environment with less enthusiasm and persistence.16Evidently, the aforementioned needs of a new born child entail a structured play of events which progress from the number of birth. It is logical to infer that it takes a much longer period of time when the crucial mother-child interaction is considered than it takes plainly for the recovery from the labor and delivery processes.MATERNITY LEAVE BENEFITS IN OTHER COUNTRIESFor purposes of comparison, the Huffington Post Canada shows a chart which indicates the length of time for which the government of other countries grant maternity leave benefits to women employees.17The united Nations, as an international organization not subject to the jurisdiction of any single country, have their own legislation on granting maternity leave benefits. According to its Administrative Instruction18on such matter, an expectant mother shall be entitled to sixteen (16) weeks of paid leave benefit. Six (6) weeks of which is the pre-delivery leave and the remaining ten (10) weeks as post-delivery leave. A shorter period of pre-delivery leave may be granted at the request of the concerned staff ingredient on the basis of a certification from a licensed medical p ractitioner. However, she shall not be allowed a post-delivery leave of less than ten (10) weeks.As in the case of the unite States of America, there is no federal law which specifically grants women employees such paid maternity leave benefits. Instead, what exists is the Family and medical examination Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) which provides certain employees, subject to certain eligibility conditions, with up to twelve (12) weeks of unpaid, dividing line-protected leave per year for the following reasons (a) for the birth and care of the new born child (b) for the placement with the employee of a child for adoption or foster care (c) to care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition or, (d) to take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition.19However, according to a report of the Center for stinting and Policy Research, a large share of working parents is either not covered or not eligi ble for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.20The same report stated that, the United States has the least chivalrous parental leave policies among the twenty-one (21) high-income countries studied countries included aside from the United States were Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. That, with the exception of only a handful of states, the U.S. law provides no rights and benefits to paid parental leave.In a much ambient view, the fellow-Asian countries of the Philippines, except for a few, have also adopted and appreciated the meaning of a longer duration of maternal leave.CONS AND PROS OF LEAVE EXTENSIONTo plumb appraise the necessity of extending the duration of maternity leave in the Philippines, here are a few grounds for which one may turn over on why or why not such an address should or should not b e granted.Some of the arguings aimed against an extended maternity leave as cited by the National Network for Child Care, are (a) companies may find it costly to pay such employee while holding the job position open for a long period of time there will be an imbalance in the money paid to the person on maternity leave with the amount of work she has provided (b) possibility of lesser work opportunities for women with a lengthier duration of maternity leave, companies may favor a more homogenous profile of male workers as undoubtedly, there would be minimal occurrences for excusable and compensable work interruptions and, (c) there might exist a conflict between expectant mothers and non-parent employees the duties and responsibilities, dependent on the position left behind by the employee on leave, needs to be filled in by another worker for the effective and efficient operation of the company, such situation may imbue in the minds of the non-parents an inequity and unrighteous ness in the grant of benefits.21On the other hand, the obvious advantages of extending the duration of paid maternity leave are as follows (a) it affords ample time for the full recovery of the mother, especially those who have undergone a Caesarean delivery (b) it reduces surplus stress as the employee adjusts to her role as a parent this supports the contention that such employee will return to work free from the tension and troubles of maternal quality (c) it allows for the fulfilment of maternal responsibilities in response to the physical needs of the new born it is a principle of human nature that there is no better person to provide care and attention to a child than the mother herself (d) it promotes mother-child bonding and attachment for purposes of satisfying the psychosocial needs of the new born.22A MOVE FOR THE EXTENSION OF MATERNITY LEAVE BENEFITSWith the details and specifics aforecited, it appears that there is then a need to extend the 60-day and 78-day durat ions of maternity leave benefits granted to Filipino women employees. An extension of 10 days each would be adequate to care a reasonable time allowance and ensure that once the employee resumes work, she is a hundred percent ready and prepared, thus, assuring a more effective, efficient and competent performance. This would constitute aseventy (70)-day leave period for normal vaginal delivery instead of 60 days, and aneighty-eight (88)-day leave duration for those who had a Caesarean delivery. Such contention is based on the following grounds (a) the 60-day period granted for those who have undergone a normal delivery is insufficient so as to enable the mother to completely recover from the effects of the birthing process before getting back to work (b) the 78-day period granted for those who have undergone Caesarean birth is gravely insufficient as such is both a birthing process and a surgical procedure, it requires a much longer healing time (c) that a longer leave duration wou ld greatly advance the benefits afforded to the youngest generation of the country in terms of their physical and psychosocial development and, (d) that the Philippines, as a country, has long been left behind by other nations in realizing the pressing need for a longer maternity leave.It seems as though such need has actually been recognized by the members of the Philippine Congress as evidenced by the passing of crime syndicate Bill No. 3973, also known as An Act Increasing Maternity Leave Benefits from 60 Days to 120 Days or Four Months. Such House Bill was initiated by Liza Maza and LuzvimindaIlagan, representatives of the command Assembly Binding Women for Reforms, Integrity, Equality, Leadership, and Action (GABRIELA) Partylist. House Representative LuzvimindaIlagan said that, Extending the period for maternity leave will not only give mothers the chance to fully recover, it will also give them the chance to breastfeed infants during the first four months. She also added th at, the proposed legislation would also help address the maternal and infant mortality rates in the country.23Such matters regarding the definite and suitable length of time for which maternity leave benefits should be granted are, as of the moment, still left hanging and undecided. Thus, it is entirely within the control of the Philippine Legislature to resolve such concerns, in the effort of balancing and equalizing the interests of the concerned employee and the employers, for the greater benefit of the general public.