The International Labour Office (ILO) created the first global maternity leave standard in 1919. The standard policy was revised in 1952, which granted a minimum of 12 weeks’ leave. According to the guidelines directed by the ILO, in countries that offer cash benefits via social security, mothers are to be paid at the rate of at least two-thirds of their previous earnings (ensured), along with full health benefits.
In this country, parents receive generous paid parental leave! The parental leave benefit can be shared between both the mother and father and lasts 49 weeks paid at 100% wages with 15 weeks reserved for each parent or 59 weeks at 80% wages which is 6 times the national insurance basic amount annually!
A country’s paid leave policy is usually a reflection of how well they take care of their employees. By granting paid leave to employees through its labor law, a country not only shows that it is one of the best places to work, but it also attracts more employees and reduces turnover.
In some countries around the world, women are underpaid for the same job as their male counterparts. They are made to work overtime without any compensation, and breaking through the glass ceiling is made to be very difficult.
Parental leave across the globe ranges from a total of three years to nothing at all. Paternity leave is an important topic to address as there are still several countries that do not offer fathers the same benefits as mothers. Many countries make the leave flexible by offering it as parental leave and open to utilization by either parent.