Ph – Expanded Maternity Leave Signed

President Duterte affixed his signature to Republic Act 11210  otherwise known as the Expanded Maternity Leave Act, Wednesday, February 20,2019. 

Here’s the comparison of the new law to the previous one:

The new law was seen as a win to all mothers. However, not everyone agree with this view.

There is a worry that longer maternity leave might lead to employment discrimination among females. In businesses where workforce and resources are limited, it may be seen as a burden or disruption. It may tilt the balance against employers especially to female dominated workforce. It could possibly dent the company’s competitive advantage by having to cover costs for temporary replacements or extra pays for additional workload among employees. Some companies just don’t have the luxury to offer competitive voluntary maternity packages. 

However, other companies offer better maternity benefits to avoid losing out a great talent. It may also motivate employees and increase morale by having a little more financial peace of mind. Voluntary benefits help attract and retain employees. And women, generally known as grateful gender, tends to repay kindness and generosity with loyalty and hard work. 

It is the time when the workforce can rely on females.It is true that male and female can equally contribute to the workplace, albeit different in nature. In times when some country’s population is graying and shrinking, women found the opportunity to have better careers and climb further in the corporate ladder and it is only right to give them the care and support they need. But it behooves us to ask, will it do more good for business? Businesses thrive in productivity and companies pay by the hour, and either make money or lose some by the hour, too. 

As a woman, I believe that health is paramount during and after pregnancy. The physical, psychological and emotional changes can be fatiguing. But then, after childbirth, there’s one more month to feed. So we shouldn’t also forget that in order to support the latest addition to the family, we need resources, which are often from the jobs we have. If there’s any way to compensate the absence due to maternity reasons, it should be done but not to over-exert one’s self. That’s when we should set our priorities to avoid causing harm to self, the family and the company. And it should also be remembered, that without businesses – small, medium or large corporations – the economy won’t thrive.

Let’s discuss with aimtalk teachers

1. What can you say about the maternity benefits in your country? How different is it to the Expanded Maternity Leave?
2. If you are a woman, would you still work after having a baby? Why or why not? If you are a new father, would you still let your wife work during/after pregnancy? Please state your reason. 
3. Should the government encourage couples to have more babies? Why or why not?

Vocabulary

Tilt the balance(v): change the balance of a situation, which makes one side gain advantage.

dominate(v): control someone/something or have more influence in the place

albeit(conj): although

corporate ladder (or career ladder)(n): a company’s employment hierarchy

it behooves someone to do: used to give someone advice or suggestion that someone should do

paramount(adj): more important than anything else.

exert yourself(v): work very hard and use a lot of physical or mental energy