Federal Government Approves Four Months Maternity Leave For Workers

Minister Of Labour: Chris Ngige

Ngige Promises Better Working Condition For Nigerian Workers

Workers in the Nigerian civil service would now enjoy four months of maternity leave as against the previous three months obtainable while employers of labour have now been barred from sacking married women based on their marital status.

The new development was disclosed yesterday by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, at the ongoing International Labour Conference (ILC), in Geneva, Switzerland.

“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,” the statement reads in part.

The Minister also said that a lot of efforts need to be put into bridging the gender gaps that exist in the labour force by combating discriminatory acts across different work places.