MATERNITY LEAVE IS A LEGAL RIGHT

Earlier in the week, we celebrated Women all over the world and about 2 days ago, we remembered the enduring contributions of mothers to humanity all over the world. on this note. I am obliged to share with you one of the exclusive right of women in the world of work- the legal right to maternity leave. Most of you know about this right but not the extent. This is intended to reduce the debate about numbers of weeks your Boss will grant as maternity leave. Maternity Leave is beyond commonsensical; it is a right to be enjoyed by women at work.

In Nigeria, Section 54 of the Labour Act provides for the right women employed in any public or private industrial or commercial undertaking or in any agricultural undertaking to be absent from work 6 weeks prior to the period of confinement and 6 weeks after the confinement period subject to the production of a medical certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner stating that her confinement will probably take place within six weeks.

Making a total of 12 weeks (3 Month Maternal Leave).

Other ancillary rights include;

Entitlement to 50% wages for women in continuous employment for at least 6 months prior to her absence

During the child nursing period, a mother is allowed half an hour twice a day during her working hours for that purpose.

Right to apply for extension of maternal leave on health grounds.

It is important to know that absence of a woman from work during this period shall not be a ground for termination of employment or dismissal.

Article 4 of ILO Convention No. 183 (Convention on Maternity Protection Convention (Revised), 1952 provides that an employed woman shall be entitled to a period of maternity leave of not less than 14 weeks.?

In the words of Oscar Wilde. 'Women are made to be loved, not understood." We must do all we can to make the world safer for women to live and thrive.

The foregoing is to promote and protect the health, safety and wellbeing of women in the workplace and beyond.