What Is Zimbabwe’S Maternity Leave Duration?

The Constitution of Zimbabwe provides for maternity leave under section 65, which states that women are entitled to 98 days of paid maternity leave for at least one year. This leave can begin no earlier than 45 days before the expected due date and no later than 21 days prior. Female employees in Zimbabwe are entitled to fully paid maternity leave of 98 days, with the right to take up to 45 days of leave before their due date.

The Labour Amendment Act, Chapter 28:01 entitles a pregnant employee to 98 days or 14 weeks paid maternity leave. Employees must have worked for at least one full year to be eligible for paid maternity leave. An employee is required to present a medical certificate of pregnancy.

The right to fully paid maternity leave is guaranteed in the Constitution and is specifically prescribed for at least three months. In Zimbabwe, women are generally given 98 days of paid leave, during which they receive their normal work benefits and entitlements. Female employees are entitled to three maternity leave periods of 90 days each time when they are employed by the same employer.

Unpaid maternity leave extending the normal duration of paid leave is also available. Female employees are entitled to 98 days of maternity leave with full pay. An employee can have a maximum of 90 days of paid sick leave within a year. The new law ensures that women have the right to at least three months’ fully paid maternity leave.

What is special leave in Zimbabwe?

Section 14B of the pertinent legislation permits employers to grant special leave on full pay for up to twelve days in a calendar year to employees who are required to be absent due to contact with an infectious disease or who are subpoenaed to attend a court.

How many months pregnant do you go on maternity leave?

Maternity leave may commence on any day from 11 weeks prior to the estimated date of delivery, except in instances where the employee is absent from work due to a pregnancy-related illness, in which case the leave may begin four weeks prior to the estimated date of delivery, commencing on an earlier date than the chosen commencement date.

Which country has the longest maternity leave?

The list of the best maternity and paternity leave policies in the world includes Bulgaria, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Greece, Japan, and Iceland. Bulgaria offers 410 days of leave, Norway offers 49 weeks, Sweden offers 480 days, Germany offers 14 weeks, Greece offers 43 weeks, and Japan offers 12 months of leave. The United States, one of the few developed countries without a national policy on paid parental leave, only provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave.

Does maternity leave include weekends in Zimbabwe?

Maternity leave is a legal entitlement provided by section 18 of the Labour Act, which requires a female employee to have served their employer for at least one year. A pregnant employee is entitled to 98 days of maternity leave, including calendar days, and receives full pay. Paid maternity leave can only be taken three times with one employer. Maternity leave must be taken at least 45 days before the expected date of delivery (EDD) and does not interrupt an employee’s continuous service with their employer.

A breastfeeding employee is entitled to paid nursing breaks of one hour or two half-hour periods each working day for a maximum of six months or for the period she is actually suckling the child, whichever is lesser. The breastfeeding period is counted from the day the employee returns to work from maternity leave, not from the day the child was born. The operational requirements of the business or undertaking must be prioritized when scheduling breastfeeding breaks.

What are the child labor laws in Zimbabwe?

In 2015, Zimbabwe’s Labor Amendment Act increased the minimum age for work from 15 to 16 years and for apprenticeships from 13 to 16 years. This legislation was enacted with the objective of eliminating the most egregious forms of child labor.

What is the new law on maternity leave in Zimbabwe?

To qualify for paid maternity leave, an employee must have been employed for a minimum of one year. This leave may be taken up to three times at the same company, with a maximum of one leave period every 24 months. In addition to the standard paid leave period, employees may request additional unpaid maternity leave. While there is no provision for paid paternity leave, a new father is entitled to take up to 12 days of unpaid leave following the birth of their child.

What is the leave policy in Zimbabwe?

Employees are entitled to paid vacation leave after completing one year of continuous service, which is equivalent to 30 calendar days or 22 working days annually. This leave promotes rest and relaxation, allowing employees to pursue personal interests or travel. Female employees are granted 98 days of paid maternity leave, which can begin 45 days before the expected due date and end 21 days prior.

Maternity leave safeguards the health and well-being of mothers and newborns, allowing for recovery and bonding time. Employees can take up to 90 days of sick leave per year on full pay, with an additional 90 days on half pay if supported by a medical certificate.

How long is the breastfeeding hour in Zimbabwe?

In accordance with Section 18 of the Labour Act, Chapter 28:01, female employees with suckling children are entitled to a minimum of one hour or two half-hours of normal working hours for nursing purposes.

What are the maternity benefits in Zimbabwe?

Maternity and paternity leave in Zimbabwe, granted to mothers and fathers before and after childbirth, is a solution to the issue. Women are typically granted 98 days of paid leave, which includes normal work benefits and entitlements. However, a recent stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Victoria Falls highlighted that women are becoming less attractive to the industry due to paid maternity leave, and employers are preferring male staff with short and unpaid paternity leave, and men often rarely apply for such leave.

How many months are you on maternity leave?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off for pregnancy-related absences or newborn care. This option is available to about 60% of the workforce, including same-sex couples. To qualify, employees must work for a private company with 50 or more employees, have worked for at least 12 months, and have worked at least 1, 250 hours in the previous year. However, there are some fine print to be aware of.