Nigerian Government Increases Maternity Leave

The Nigerian Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige announced the extension of maternity leave from three months to four months,yesterday, while speaking at the plenary session of the on going International Labour Conference(ILC),in Geneva,Switzerland.

He said; “Employers of labour (in Nigeria) are, by regulation, requested to provide workplace crèches for nursing mothers for ease at work place. In the public service, government recently increased the period for maternity leave from 12 to 16 weeks; to allow enough recuperation for both baby and mother, especially in the area of breast feeding.

“In addition, all disciplinary proceedings against any female staff, which might have been taken during the period of her maternity leave shall be put in abeyance till the expiration of the leave. “Employers of labour are also barred from removal of women from work due to their marital or maternity status, illegal labour migration, contract staffing and labour casualisation which affects most women, are being reformed through policies and regulations at national, bilateral and multilateral levels.

“The ratification, domestication and implementation of the Maternity Protection Convention No. 186 are conscious efforts to ensure that more women enjoy maternity protection in the country".

However,the Nigerian labour act does not provide for paternity leave.Paternity leave campaigners have been unsuccessful as the bill for an Act  for paternity leave failed to pass through the second reading in the Nigerian  federal legislative house.But male civil servants in Lagos state are entitled to 10 days paternity leave within the first two months of the baby's birth.