Reelectionist Senator Sonny Angara said private companies need not worry about hiring female employees in light of the recently approved law extending the paid maternity leave to 105 days from 60, citing that women workers are good for business and there is benefit in achieving gender equality in the workplace.
President Rodrigo Duterte recently signed the law extending the paid maternity leave –the legislation Angara co-authored and co-sponsored in the Senate–amid apprehension on the possible increase in cost to be incurred by employers as a result of the new measure and fresh worries about the potential discrimination in hiring women.
“It’s the choice employers have to make, but at the end of the day they will lose out on the significant benefits from hiring women,” the seasoned legislator said, noting that female workers are “more detail oriented and conscientious” as opposed to their male counterparts.
“Female workers are more detail oriented and conscientious.”
“Doon sila magkakamali kung sakaling magkaroon sila ng bias against women,” Angara said.
“I don’t think it’s fair for companies to give preference to a male applicant even if his female counterpart is more qualified for the job, just because they want to avoid the cost of maternity leave benefit. That’s discrimination,” the veteran lawmaker added.
Citing a study by the International Finance Corp., the senator from Aurora who is seeking a fresh six-year term under the platform “Alagang Angara,” said bringing in more female workers into the workplace also helps promote women’s rights which is a good business practice.
“The study showed that women improve productivity, adapt better to change and comprise a more stable work force,” he pointed out.
Angara also cited a separate study by the McKinsey Global Institute which showed that investing in initiatives that support women in the workplace is a “win-win” situation as both employers and employees obtain real benefits.
At least one-third of the companies that invested in these programs in emerging and developing countries have improved their benefits and 38 percent expect earnings, according to the McKinsey study.
Angara strongly believes that paid maternity leave could be a critical factor in women’s empowerment by enabling mothers to support themselves while raising their children.
“Paid maternity leave could be a critical factor in women’s empowerment.”
The 150-day Extended Maternity Leave Law, Angara said, empowers not just mothers, but also their children as it gives utmost priority to their health.
“For with a longer maternity leave period, we give our mothers adequate time and opportunity to ensure the proper nutrition, nourishment and nurturing of their children–especially when they themselves are going through the process of recuperation,” he said.
