Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

The Committee notes the report of the Government and appended documents.

The Committee notes with interest the amendments to sections 31, 32 and 33A of the 1977 Worker Protection and Working Environment Act, which extend the right of leave of absence in the event of pregnancy and childbirth, adoption and where a child or childminder is ill.

The Committee has also noted that four weeks of the total cash benefit period for parental leave awarded in the case of maternity have been reserved for the father, on condition that he stays at home to care for the child. Recalling that this initiative was based on a recommendation of the Working Party for the Role of the Male (which concluded that men's increased engagement in caring for small children ought to be an important policy aim for the future), the Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply information concerning the implementation of measures consistent with this goal.