Ghana is set to implement paternity leave as part of a series of labor changes scheduled for 2024.
Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam made the news at his mid-year budget review address to Parliament on Tuesday, July 23.
Dr. Adam noted that the government, in partnership with its social partners, has created a draft Labour Bill for 2024, which aims to enhance labor administration and regulate the workplace.
Key reforms recommended include paternity leave, maternity leave extension, and improvements in labor migration governance and employment coordination.
“The Labour Law is expected to be promulgated before the end of the year,” Dr. Adam said, highlighting the government’s commitment to improving worker rights and benefits.
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According to the draft Labour Bill, 2024, which is currently being consulted on by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, male workers will be able to apply for paternity leave within three months of their wife’s or surrogate’s childbirth, or after the adoption of a child under the age of one.
To be eligible, employees must present documentation of birth or adoption to their employer. Upon approval, the employer must provide a minimum of five days of paternity leave, beginning on the date mentioned in the application. However, a worker cannot be awarded more than one paternity leave in a 24-month period.
The draft law also proposes considerable improvements to the maternity leave regulations. A female employee who presents a medical certificate specifying her estimated delivery date will be entitled to at least 14 weeks of maternity leave, in addition to any annual leave entitlements.
This time can be extended by at least two weeks in situations of atypical confinement or multiple deliveries. Furthermore, female workers are entitled to full compensation and benefits while on maternity leave, and they are protected against dismissal for being absent on maternity grounds.
The proposed legislation also provides provisions for supplementary leave for pregnant workers suffering from pregnancy-related ailments, as validated by a medical practitioner. In the event of a stillbirth or the death of a baby during the maternity leave term, the female worker may continue or progress on maternity leave, with the option of further time as confirmed by a medical practitioner.
Nursing women will also be allowed to take an hour off during working hours to breastfeed their newborns, which will be counted as working hours and rewarded appropriately.
