ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Arif Alvi on Tuesday approved the Maternity and Paternity Leave Bill, 2023 to enact it as a law, allowing woman employees up to 180 leaves during pregnancy and men 30 30 days thrice during their employment tenure.
The bill, which was passed by the country’s parliament last month, had been in the works for several years after being initially moved by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Quratulain Marri in 2018.
Dr. Alvi gave his assent to the bill under Article 75 of the Pakistani constitution, under which bills that are sent to the president are formally enacted as laws after his approval.
“President Dr. Arif Alvi on Tuesday gave his assent to the Maternity and Paternity Leave Bill, 2023,” a statement from the President House said.
“Under the bill, the women employees of the public and private departments under the administrative control of the federal government will be entitled to avail maternity leave with full pay three times during service – 180 days for the first time, 120 days for the second time, and 90 days for the third time.”
According to the new law, male workers will be entitled to apply for paternity leaves for 30 days three times throughout their employment period.
In case of a violation of the law, employers can be subjected to imprisonment for up to 6 months and a fine of up to Rs100,000 ($348), or both.
Last week, the president also approved the Daycare Centres Bill 2023, under which facilities will be set up for children at public and private departments in Islamabad.
Violators will be liable to pay a fine of up to Rs500,000 ($1,739) after the first warning, it said.
