Maternity and Work

Maternity Leave

In accordance with the Constitution of Ethiopia and Labour Proclamation, female workers are entitled to fully paid maternity leave of 120 working days (30 days antenatal and 90 days postnatal) on recommendation of medical doctor. If a pregnant woman does not deliver within 30 days of antenatal leave, she is entitled to additional leave until her confinement. If a pregnant woman delivers before the 30-day period has elapsed, postnatal leave commences after delivery. Under the 2019 law, the duration of maternity leave has increased from 90 working days to 120 working days.

Other than maternity leave, workers are also entitled to paid leave for medical examinations related to pregnancy and paid leave during pregnancy on recommendation of a medical doctor.

Source: §35(5) of the Constitution of Ethiopia 1994; §88 of the Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2019

Income

Maternity leave is fully paid leave. The Labour Proclamation requires that a pregnant worker be granted full salary during the pre-natal (30 days) and post-natal period (90 days). The total maternity leave has increased from 90 days to 120 days under the 2019 reform. The Constitution of Ethiopia provides that women workers have the right to maternity leave with full pay. The Constitution of Ethiopia provides that women workers have the right to maternity leave with full pay.

Source: §35(5) of the Constitution of Ethiopia 1994; §88 of the Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2019; ISSA Country Profile for Ethiopia

Free Medical Care

No maternity related statutory benefits are provided. A new law, i.e., Social Health Insurance Proclamation, was passed in 2010. All employees are required to be members of the social health insurance scheme. However, this law does not expressly deal with maternity related health benefits. Proclamation No. 1273 on Community-based Health Insurance, passed in 2022, provides for universal health coverage.