- Currently Romania is the nation with the most extensive license in the world.
- On the other hand, in the United States there is no regulation to receive this benefit.
- While in Mexico the law establishes that paid maternity leave must last 12 weeks.
Being able to form a family is the desire of all people. Some also aspire to be able to procreate to have offspring. When that happens, the biggest inconvenience is faced by women because they are the ones who experience a change emotionally but also physically. That is why they require all possible support within their workplaces. That’s why it was invented paid maternity leave although there is still no regulation worldwide.
Each person is different but some develop more discomfort than others. The fact of having a small being inside the womb implies a strong responsibility but also a lot of care.
Lifestyle before and after childbirth
In addition, this change in lifestyle is not limited only to the gestation process. During the puerperium it is also necessary to rest. The physical union with the baby is fundamental for its correct development.
In this sense, it is necessary to remember the indication of the Ministry of Health (SSa). During the first six months of life of any infant, only feed breast milk. The nutrients it contains are exactly what a newborn needs to grow healthy and strong.
Now the paid maternity leave It is a crucial benefit to preserve the health of pregnant people during the puerperium and of the newborn. Almost all countries in the world have laws that protect maternity at work, but what varies is the time.
According to the recommendations of the International Labor Organization (ILO), governments must provide paid maternity leave of at least 14 weeks. During this period, any woman who is absent from her work is entitled to receive cash benefits of not less than two-thirds of the average salary prior to leave.
Although the reality is that few countries respect this criterion. According to ILO estimates, only 34% of the 185 countries analyzed worldwide fully comply with this recommendation. Even where legislation exists, its effective implementation is not guaranteed, especially in developing regions such as Latin America, Africa and Asia.
What happens around the world?
This situation is worrying because, in the absence of sufficient postnatal rest and adequate employment protection, working women may be forced to leave the workforce. It is also an indication that they suffer unequal treatment associated with their reproductive role by their employers. In addition, the absence of income during the puerperium places them in a situation of vulnerability in their private life, which leads them to depend financially on their partner or family.
As reflected by following graph with information from StatistaRomania is one of the countries that guarantees the longest paid maternity leave, with more than 92 weeks available by law in which mothers receive full pay, according to 2020 OECD data.
In contrast, the United States is at the opposite extreme point because there is no federal guarantee of a set time off for maternity or a cash benefit after birth.
Chile, for its part, is one of the Latin American countries that offers the highest benefit, with a total of 30 paid weeks. Mexico and Spain, meanwhile, guarantee a maternity leave of only 12 and 16 weeks with full salary, respectively.