Government proposes six months of paid maternity leave, 42 days of paid leave for fathers
Summary
The government has proposed six months of paid maternity leave and up to 42 days of paid paternity leave in a bill to amend Nepal’s Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights Act, 2018. A separate motion in Parliament says the current 98-day leave is insufficient and urges stronger protections for working mothers.
Key Points
- The government plans to amend the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights Act, 2018 to grant at least six months of paid maternity leave and up to 42 days of paid paternity leave.
- Law Minister Sobita Gautam said the bill is being prepared for presentation in Parliament through the Cabinet.
- An urgent motion in the House of Representatives argues that the current 98-day maternity leave is inadequate and that women in the private and informal sectors are often forced back to work too soon.
- The motion was proposed by Sita Thapaliya and supported by Bhumika Limbu Subba, Balawati Sharma, Radhika Ramtel, and Saraswati Lama.
