Maternity and Work

This page was last updated on: 2023-05-09

Maternity Leave

A female employee is entitled, within every three years, to at least eight weeks’ maternity leave on full pay. In the event of illness, certified by a registered medical practitioner, arising out of pregnancy or confinement, affecting the employee or her child, the employer must grant the employee additional paid leave as the employer may deem fit.

Source: §47 of the Employment Act (No. 6 of 2000), last amended in 2021

Income

Every pregnant worker is entitled to a fully paid 8-week maternity leave. Maternity leave is paid by the employer.

During maternity leave, worker’s normal benefits and entitlements, including her contractual rights and accumulation of seniority, continue uninterrupted and her period of employment is not considered to have been interrupted, reduced or broken.

Source: §47 of the Employment Act (No. 6 of 2000), last amended in 2021

Free Medical Care

No provisions on free medical care for pregnant workers could be identified within the law.

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