Minister of Labour and Social Security Joyce Nonde-Simukoko has highlightede features of the employment code act indicating an increase in maternity leave from 12 weeks to 14 weeks with a difference of 2 weeks (14 days).
The employment code act No 3 of 2019 was on April 11th 2019 assented by the head of state – President Edgar Lungu to repeal and replace the employment act for 1965, the employment act for 1966 and the minimum wages and conditions of employment act of 1982.
Addressing the media at Government Complex in Lusaka on April 24th, 2019, Nonde-Simukoko said the term for maternity leave has been extended to 14 days to be taken immediately after delivery adding that the female employee may apply for an extension from the employer.
The minister has since urged employers not to ignore the provisions under the new employment code act that suits the current economic and labor market.
“The act has increased the period of maternity leave to 14 weeks and there after the employee can decide to apply to the employer for the extension of the said leave, further a female employee shall not forfeit that employees annual leave entitlement because of having taken maternity leave”, she clarified.
She added that under the employment code act, breastfeeding mothers have been provided with two nursing breaks of 30 minutes each day and that the time spent shall not be deducted.
In addition, she said the act has further provided paternity leave for male employees of 5 continuous days off duty after the birth of their child.
Nonde-Simukoko further stated that the family responsibility leave is also been included in the act to provide for family responsibility leave for an employee who has worked for a period of six months or more to enable employees attend to family matters and in attendance of nursing a sick spouse, child or dependent with a support of a medical certificate.
She has however cautioned employers to ensure they comply with provisions in the act failure to which the commission will not take kindly to employers disregarding the act, adding that having children is a national responsibility hence female employees should not be disadvantaged.
