The section below lists maternity protection laws in an attempt to demonstrate, at least generally, the extent to which the demanding work of motherhood is (is not) recognized.
MATERNITY PROTECTION IN SELECTED AFRICAN COUNTRIES
Country Qualifying Conditions Length of Maternity Leave Cash Maternity Benefits Prohibition of Dismissal Nursing Breaks
for Benefits
ALGERIA — 12 weeks Half her basic daily earnings. During maternity leave 1 hour a day for 1 year
(Paid by Social Insurance) after the birth of a child. (Paid)
EGYPT — 50 days (40 days' leave 75 per cent of herwage payable During maternity leave Two breaks of half an hour
after confinement is during maternity leave. each during 18 months
compulsory by Social Insurance following the date of her confinement. (Paid) KENYA — 2 months Full pay. (Paid by employer — —
TANZANIA — 6 weeks before, 6 weeks — — Half-an-hour twice a day
after confinement during her working
hours
Women at Work, ILO, 1977
MATERNITY PROTECTION : SELECTED COUNTRIES IN ASIA
Country Qualifying Conditions Length of Maternity Cash Maternity Benefits Prohibition of Nursing Breaks
for Benefits Leave Dismissal
INDIA 160 days of service in last 6 weeks before and 6 Average daily wage or 1 rupee During maternity leave Two breaks until the child
year weeks after confinement a day (paid by employer) attains the age of 15 months
JAPAN — 6 weeks before and 6 60 of insured wage according During maternity leave and Two thirthy-minute breaks
weeks after confinement to wage class (paid by social for 3 0 days there-after per day (unpaid insurance
PHILIPPINES 6 months for the last 12 2 weeks before and 4 Full pay based on her regular During maternity leave — months weeks after confinement or average weekly wage (paid
by employer)
Women at Work, ILO, 1977
MATERNITY LEGISLATION IN SELECTED EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
Country Qualifying Conditions Length of Maternity Cash Maternity Benefits Prohibition of Nursing Breaks
for Benefits Leave Dismissal
FRANCE All women (insured or not) 6 weeks before, 10 Prenatal allowance for During pregnancy and up 2 half-hour breaks
qualify for prenatal allowance; after. Voluntary unpaid months preceeding birth; to 12 weeks after confinement.
for maternity allowance leave granted to any of the maternity allowance paid at After "parental leave"
births must occur two parents birth and 6 months after. priority in rehiring
within prescribed periods Maternity insurance; employer
for maternity insurance pays medical expenses and
must becovered by Health 90 per cent of earnings
Insurance Fund
SWEDEN 6 months service prior to 90 per cent of salary for maximum Workers (husband or wife) Necessary time off
pregnancy or 12 months of 210 days for both cannot be dismissed during
service within last 2 years parents (paid by employer parents leave
IRELAND 26 paid insurance contributions Insurance calculated on pay Private secotr has no -
in year preceeding system with stated legislation on this area
confinement minimum and maximum (publk:
. sector employees receive leave
with pay less insurance payment
Private sector: unpaid leave
ITALY Must be employed at the Maternity care (paid by employer). During pregnancy and up One hour break until to one year after birth of child is one year
time pregnancy commences 80 per cent of earnings child half-hour break
(paid by insurance) 30 percent if facilities is primeses
of earnings during voluntary leave
Women at Work, ILO, 1979
