Parental leave

"Maternity leave" redirects here. For the episode of Lost, see Maternity Leave (Lost).

Histogram of countries by weeks paid maternity leave provided by law

Parental leave is an employee benefit that provides paid or unpaid time off work to care for a child or make arrangements for the child's welfare. Often, the term parental leave includes maternity, paternity, and adoption leave. Often the minimum benefits are stipulated by law.

Variation in international law

In most countries, paid parental leave (typically maternity leave) is available for those who have worked for their current employer for a certain period of time.^[1] National laws vary widely according to the politics of each jurisdiction.

Only four countries have no national law mandating paid time off for new parents: Liberia, Papua New Guinea, Swaziland, and the United States.^[2] In the U.S., the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) mandates up to 12 weeks of (potentially unpaid) job-protected leave, including parental leave, for many American workers. Subnational laws also vary; for example the U.S. state of California does mandate paid family leave, including parental leave for same-sex partners.

Legal requirements for parental leave benefits do not always reflect actual practice. In some countries with relatively weak requirements, individual employers choose to provide benefits beyond those required by law. In some countries, laws requiring parental leave benefits are widely ignored in practice.^{[citation needed]}

Benefits in a selection of countries

A large majority of countries provide more than 10 paid weeks maternity leave. Only four provide none.

Europe

Demonstration for parental leave in the European Parliament.

Central European countries are the most dedicated countries in the world regarding parental leave. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, it is standard that mothers stay at home for 3 years with every child. All mothers can decide to take 2, 3 or 4 years of maternity leave. It is also possible for the fathers to take the leave instead of the mothers but it is not common. For the whole period mothers are supported by the state. Also, in Slovakia the standard duration of parental leave is 3 years; for a handicapped child it is up to 6 years. The state pays support of 256 Euros per month for the child's first 2 years. After this period it is 164.22 Euros per month.^{[citation needed]} A similar model is also used in Austria where mothers can choose between 1 and 3 years.

Sweden is one country which provides generous parental leave: all working parents are entitled to 16 months paid leave per child, the cost being shared between employer and the state. To encourage greater paternal involvement in child-rearing, a minimum of 2 months out of the 16 is required to be used by the "minority" parent, in practice usually the father, and some Swedish political parties on the political left argue for legislation to oblige families to divide the 16 months equally between both parents.^[3] Norway also has similarly generous leave. In Estonia mothers are entitled to 18 months of paid leave, starting up to 70 days before due date. Fathers are entitled to paid leave starting from the third month after birth (paid leave is however available to only one parent at a time).

In the UK, all female employees are entitled to 52 weeks of maternity (or adoption) leave, 39 weeks of which is paid, rising to 52 weeks paid from April 2010, with the first six weeks paid at 90% of full pay and the remainder at a fixed rate. Most employers offer a more generous policy. Annual leave continues to accrue throughout the maternity leave period. A spouse or partner of the woman (including same-sex relationships) may request a two week paid (at a fixed rate) paternity leave.^[4] Both the mother and her partner can additionally request non-paid parental leave, which can be for up to 4 weeks annually, with a current limit of 13 weeks.^[5]

Country	Paid maternity leave	Paid maternity (% of annual)	Paid paternity leave	Unpaid maternity leave	Unpaid paternity leave	Restrictions
Albania	1 year 80% before birth and 150 days, 50% for the rest	62%
Austria	16 weeks 100%	31%	between 1 and 3 years depending on chosen payment (percentage of last income for one year; ca. €436/month for three years)
Belarus	126 days 100%	35%
Belgium	15 weeks 82% for 30 days, 75% thereafter	77%	10 day (3 days are compulsory)[1]		7 days but 82% paid out by health insurance fund
Bulgaria	1 year 100%; 2nd year at min salary	130%	father or a grandparent can take the maternity leave instead of the mother	6 months to be used until the child turns 8	6 months to be used until the child turns 8
Cyprus	16 weeks 75%	23%
Czech Republic	28 weeks (6-8 weeks before birth) ~70%; & parental leave up to 2/3/4 years of age of the child (approx. 633/422/211$ a month). Can be taken by either of the parents or by both at the same time (but only one will receive the monetary support).	38%
Denmark	52 weeks. 18 to be taken by the mother, 2 weeks by the father, the rest as they see fit.	100%	2 weeks of the 52 weeks paid leave is reserved for the father.
Estonia	140 days (100%), 154 days in the case of multiple birth or medical complications[6]	38%	14 days, expires after 6 months after child's birth	3 years
Finland	105 days 80%, followed by share of 158 days with father	58%	18 days, can share 158 days with mother after maternity leave	Until child turns 3	Until child turns 3
France	16 weeks (100%) rising to 26 weeks (100%) for third child	31%	3 days + 11 consecutive days	Share of 104 weeks (2 years) with father	Share of 104 weeks (2 years) with mother
Germany	14 weeks (100%) 6 before birth, 12/14 months (65%, but not more than 1.800 Euro/month) (14 only for single mothers)	84%	12/14 months (65%, but not more than 1.800 Euro/month) (14 only for single fathers)	Share of 156 weeks (3 years) with father	Share of 156 weeks (3 years) with mother	Must have public health insurance for part of paid leave, rest of paid leave paid by employer
Greece	119 days 100%	33%
Hungary	24 weeks 100%, plus gets all paid leaves accumulated under the 3 years unpaid maternity leave, which means a 2-4 months paid leave at the end of this period.	46%	Five days; can share with mother (after child is over 1 year old)	3 years
Iceland	90 days 80% (based on total salary over a 12 month period ending 6 months before the birth). Max. monthly payment for 2008: Íkr535,700 (around €4,500, $6,500 at exchange rates in August 2008); min. monthly payment for 2008: Íkr103,869 (around €870, $1,250) + 90 days to be shared freely between the parents[7]	39%	As for the mother	13 weeks	13 weeks	Parents must have been working for a period of 6 months prior to taking the leave. Parental leave can be taken at any time during the first 18 months of the baby's life.
Ireland	26 weeks (6 months) (100%)	50%	0	16 (4 months) weeks that can be shared with father	16 (4 months) weeks that can be shared with mother
Italy	22 weeks (5 months) (80%) 2 before birth	34%	13 weeks (3 months) (80%)	Maximum 26 weeks (6 months) (total for both parents maximum 44 weeks (10 months))	Maximum 30 weeks (7 months) (total for both parents maximum 44 weeks (10 months))	For paid leave, job contract must include social contributions (INPS)
Latvia	112 days, 100%	31%	10 calendar days
Liechtenstein	8 weeks 80%	12%
Lithuania	1 year 100% or 2 years: 52 weeks 70% and 52 weeks 40% (either mother or father can take it or take the leave in shifts)	100% or 110%	1 month
Luxembourg	16 weeks 100%	31%
Malta	14 weeks 100%	27%	2 days 100%
Netherlands	16 weeks 100%	31%	2 days 100%	26 weeks	26 weeks	Unpaid leave for children under 8. For unpaid leave a parent has to have worked for an employer for over 1 year. The government gives all parents that use unpaid parental leave, through tax breaks, 50% of the national minimum wage. Employers have the possibility to provide a payment on their own discretion. Payment for parental leave can also be set at the collective labour agreements.
Norway	56 weeks (13 months) (80%) or 46 weeks (10.5 months) (100%) - mother must take at least 3 weeks immediately before birth and 6 weeks immediately after birth, father must take at least 12 weeks (the so-called "daddy quota") - the rest can be shared between mother and father.	86%	10 weeks of the 56/46 weeks paid leave is reserved for the father. If he does not take these 10 weeks, they will be lost as they can not be transferred to the mother.	The mother can also take an extra full year of unpaid leave after the paid period ends.	The father can also take an extra full year of unpaid leave after the paid period ends. In addition, the father is entitled to take two weeks unpaid leave directly before or after birth (many fathers are paid for these weeks by their employers).	To gain the right to paid leave for herself and the father, the mother must have worked for 6 of the last 10 months before birth, or the leave is unpaid (except for a lump sum benefit from the government)
Poland	16–18 weeks 100%	35%	7 days 100% (14 days since 2011)	up to 3 years, may be split.
Portugal	120 days 100% or 150 days 80%	33%	15 days 100%	Five days plus two weeks.		Of the maternity leave, 6 weeks is compulsory. The father may take the rest of the time the mother would have been entitled to.
Romania	126 days (42 compulsory to be taken after birth) paid 85% + 85%, but not lower than 600 RON and not more than 4000 RON, until the baby reaches 2 years of age (3 for a disabled baby).	85%	126 days, instead of the mother, paid 85% + 85%, but not lower than 600 RON and not more than 4000 RON, until the baby reaches 2 years of age (3 for a disabled baby) OR Five days plus 10 more days if the father has taken a child care course (these 10 days are given only once, so not for every child). All 15 days must be taken within the first 8 weeks since the birth of the baby.			Must have worked 12 months in the previous year.
Russia	140-194 days (before birth: 70 days, or 84 days if multiple pregnancy; after birth: 70 days, or 86 days in case of complications, or 110 days if multiple birth)[8] 100% but not less the minimum salary multiplied by "north region value" (1 to 2.0) if they work full-time (40 hours or legal maximum); followed by: up to 18 months after birth - 2,194.33-13,833.33[9] RUB for the first child, 4,388.67-13,833.33 RUB for any subsequent child, but not exceeding 100% and not less the summary minimum multiplied by "north region value"[10] (could be shared with father, grandparents, guardians or actual caregivers of the child). In radiation-risk zones is doubled (there is no special restriction) and paid up to 36 month.	53%	instead of the mother: up to 18 months after birth - 2,194.33-13,833.33[11] RUB for the first child, 4,388.67-13,833.33 RUB for any subsequent child, but not exceeding 100% and not less the summary minimum multiplied by "north region value"	up to 18 months (1.5–3 years after birth), could be shared with father, grandparents, guardians or actual caregivers of the child	up to 18 months (1.5–3 years after birth), could be shared with mother, grandparents, guardians or actual caregivers of the child	50 additional rub are to be paid by employer outside the 100% period from the year 2011 is cumulative payments from the 2 previous year and divided by 730; the payments are limited to minimum salary if the mother/caregivers didn't work or get the payment ill for any 6 month
Slovenia	12 months 100%	100%	11 days
Spain	16 weeks 100%	31%	15 days: the day of birth and the next day. The rest, 13 days: anytime during the maternity leave of the mother. Up to 15 days of the mother's leave can be taken by the father (if the father takes all 15 days, the mother only has 97 days to take off instead of the full 4 months (112 days))	Up to 3 years.
Sweden	480 days (16 months) (77.6% (80% of 97%) up to a ceiling the first 390 days, 90 days at flat rate) - shared with father (dedicated 60 days)	82%	480 days (16 months) (77.6% (80% of 97%) up to a ceiling the first 390 days, 90 days at flat rate) - shared with mother (dedicated 60 days) + 10 working days in connection with the child's birth	The first 18 months (at maximum) individually, by postponing the shared paid period.	The first 18 months (at maximum) individually, by postponing the shared paid period.	The 480 days can be distributed until the child turns 8 or finishes first year of schooling, which ever accurs latest.
Switzerland	16 weeks (100%), 8 weeks mandatory	31%	3 days	None	None	Pregnant women can't be fired
Turkey	16 weeks 66.7%	21%	Three days paternity leave in the public sector	12 months
Ukraine	126 days 100%	35%
United Kingdom	Currently 39 weeks paid, due to rise to 52 weeks paid from April 2010, although delayed indefinitely[12] (6 weeks at 90% of full pay and remainder at a flat rate (as of 2009 = £123.06) or 90% of your salary if that is less than the flat rate). This is the statutory minimum; most employers often provide more generous arrangements.	10.3% + flat rate of £123.06/week after week 6	2 weeks at a fixed amount (as of March 2009 = £123.06) 4 weeks per year (non-paid and a max of 13 weeks) via a Parental leave request if they have at least one year's continuous employment	13 weeks unpaid (maternity or adoption) for total a of 52 weeks (paid and non-paid) 4 weeks per year (non-paid and a max of 13 weeks) via a Parental leave request if they have at least one year's continuous employment	None. Though note that a spouse or partner can request up to 4 weeks non-paid Parental leave annually (max 13 weeks) if they have at least one year's continuous employment	The person requesting Maternity/Adoption or Paternity leave person must have worked for their current employer for at least 26 weeks before the 15th week before the due date (and received a salary that is higher than a fixed minimum). They must give the employer notice before the 15th week before the child is due.

Americas

In 2000, parental leave was greatly expanded in Canada from 10 weeks to 35 weeks divided as desired between two parents. This is in addition to 15 weeks maternity leave. In most situations, a combination of maternity and parental benefits can be received up to a combined maximum of 50 weeks. In Canada maternity and parental leave is paid for by the Employment Insurance system.^[13]

Country	Paid maternity leave	Paid paternity leave	Unpaid maternity leave	Unpaid paternity leave	Restrictions
Antigua/Barbuda	13 weeks 60%
Argentina	90 days 100%	Two days
Aruba	12 weeks 100%
Bahamas	13 weeks 60%	One week family-related leave			Paid maternity leave may only be taken once every 36 months
Barbados	12 weeks 100%
Belize	12 weeks 80%
Bolivia	12 weeks 100% of national min. wage + 70% of wages above min. wage
Brazil	120 days 100%, salary partially tax-deductible for employers	5 days (Article 10, Paragraph 1, of Temporary Constitutional Provisions Act of Brazilian Constitution)[1]
Canada	55% up to $468/week for 50 weeks (15 weeks maternity + 35 weeks parental leave shared with father)[14]	55% up to $468/week for 35 weeks parental leave (shared with mother)[15]	2 weeks Quebec, 70% up to $834.61/week for 25 weeks, then 55% up to $655.76/week for 25 weeks. As with the federal plan, there are 32 weeks of parental leave that can be shared with father. In addition, fathers are eligible for 5 weeks paid leave at a rate of up to 70% of their income or 3 weeks paid leave at a rate of 75% of their income.
Chile	18 weeks 100%	Article 66 indicates 1 day paid; Law N° 20.047 (2005) increased paternity leave to 4 days paid leave. (edward gonzalez-acosta, The New School)
Colombia	12 weeks 100%	Law 755 (2002) appended a paragraph to Article 236 of the Labor Code to indicate that fathers have a leave of 4–8 days. (edward gonzalez-acosta, The New School)
Costa Rica	4 months 100%
Cuba	18 weeks 100%
Dominica	12 weeks 60%
Dominican Republic	12 weeks 100%
Ecuador	12 weeks 100%
El Salvador	12 weeks 75%
Grenada	3 months 100% (2 months), 60% for 3rd month
Guatemala	84 days 100%	Two days at birth of child
Guyana	13 weeks 70%
Haiti	12 weeks 100% for 6 weeks
Honduras	10 weeks 100% for 84 days
Jamaica	12 weeks 100% for 8 weeks
Mexico	12 weeks 100%
Nicaragua	12 weeks 60%
Panama	14 weeks 100%
Paraguay	12 weeks 50% for 9 weeks	Two days
Peru	90 days 100%
Saint Lucia	3 months 65%
Trinidad/Tobago	13 weeks 60%-100%
United States	0 weeks (CA: 6 weeks 55%, NJ 6 weeks 66%, WA 5 weeks $250/week; pregnancy treated as disability: HI 58%, NY 50%, RI formula.)[16]	0 weeks (CA: 6 weeks 55%, NJ 6 weeks 66%, WA 5 weeks $250/week)[16]	12 weeks	12 weeks	Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 includes all public agencies and private companies with 50 or more employees within 75 miles. Employee must have worked for covered employer for at least 12 months prior, and at least 1250 hours in previous 12 months. Other restrictions apply. See Paid Family Leave (California) for details in CA.[17]
Uruguay	12 weeks 100%	Three days paternity leave for civil servants
Venezuela	18 weeks 100%

Africa

Country	Paid maternity leave	Paid paternity leave	Unpaid maternity leave	Unpaid paternity leave	Restrictions
Algeria	14 weeks 100%	3 days
Angola	3 months 100%
Benin	14 weeks 100%
Botswana	12 weeks 25%
Burkina Faso	14 weeks 100%
Burundi	12 weeks 50%
Cameroon	14 weeks 100%	Up to 10 days paid leave for family events concerning workers' home
Central African Republic	14 weeks 50%
Chad	14 weeks 50%	Up to 10 days paid leave for family events concerning workers' home
Comoros	14 weeks 100%
Congo	15 weeks 100%
Cote d'Ivoire	14 weeks 100%	Up to 10 days paid leave for family events concerning workers' home
Democratic Republic of the Congo	14 weeks 67%
Djibouti	14 weeks 50% (100% for public employees)	10 days family-related leave
Egypt	90 days (approx. 13 weeks) 100%
Equatorial Guinea	12 weeks 75%
Eritrea	60 days unknown
Ethiopia	90 days (approx. 12 weeks) 100%		Five days of unpaid leave in the event of exceptional or serious events
Gabon	14 weeks 100%	Up to 10 days paid leave for family events concerning workers' home
The Gambia	12 weeks 100%
Ghana	12 weeks 100%
Guinea	14 weeks 100%
Guinea-Bissau	60 days (approx. 8.5 weeks) 100%
Kenya	2 months 100%	2 weeks
Lesotho	12 weeks unknown
Libya	90 days (approx. 13 weeks) 50%
Madagascar	14 weeks 100%		10 days of unpaid leave for family events
Mali	14 weeks 100%
Mauritania	14 weeks 100%
Mauritius	12 weeks 100%
Morocco	14 weeks 100%
Mozambique	60 days (approx. 8.5 weeks) 100%
Namibia	12 weeks Social Security - 70% / Employee - 30%
Niger	14 weeks 50%
Nigeria	12 weeks 50%
Rwanda	12 weeks 67%	Two days
Sao Tome/Principe	60 days (approx. 8.5 weeks) 100%		10 days
Senegal	14 weeks 100%
Seychelles	14 weeks flat rate for 10 weeks	Four days of paid leave for "compassionate reasons"
Somalia	14 weeks 50%
South Africa	4 months Up to 60% dependent on income	Three days paid family responsibility leave
Sudan	8 weeks 100%
Swaziland			12 weeks
Togo	14 weeks 100%	Up to ten days of paid leave for "family events directly related to home"
Tunisia	30 days (approx. 4 weeks) 67%	1 day (private sector), 2 days (public sector)
Uganda	60 working days (approx. 8.5 weeks) 100%	4 working days 100%
United Republic of Tanzania	12 weeks 100%	5 days fully paid paternity leave			Paid maternity leave may only be taken once every 36 months
Zambia	12 weeks 100%
Zimbabwe	90 days (approx. 12 weeks) 100%

Asia/Pacific

Australia will be introducing an 18 week paid maternity leave scheme starting in 2011. It is to be publicly funded, and to provide the federal minimum wage (currently AUS $596.78 a week) rather than a percentage of the primary caregiver's salary. It will not be available to families wherein the primary caregiver has an annual salary above $150,000.^[18]

Country	Paid maternity leave	Paid paternity leave	Unpaid maternity leave	Unpaid paternity leave	Restrictions
Afghanistan	90 days 100%
Azerbaijan	126 days 100%
Australia	18 weeks at federal minimum wage (Around $596/week)	18 weeks at federal minimum wage (Around $596/week)	Up to 52 weeks unpaid shared with father.	Up to 1 week unpaid taken at time of birth. Up to an additional 51 weeks if not taken at the same time as the mother, and for the purposes of providing primary care. Employer has right to refuse.	The 52 weeks are shared between the parents, and all leave must be completed before the child's first birthday.
Bahrain	45 days 100%
Bangladesh	16 weeks (8 weeks before delivery and 8 weeks after delivery) 100%		In case of third (+) time mom, who has two or more babies alive already.
Cambodia	90 days 50%	10 days special leave for family events
China	90 days 100%
Fiji	84 days Flat rate
Hong Kong	10 weeks 80%
India	12 weeks 100%				Does not apply to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.[19] Prohibits employers from allowing women to work within six weeks after giving birth.[20] A female employee is eligible only if she worked for the employer at least 80 days during the 12-month period preceding the date of expected delivery.[21] In the case of a stillbirth or miscarriage, six weeks of paid leave is required instead.[21] Female employees of the Central Government of India receive 180 days of leave.[22]
Indonesia	3 months 100%	Two days' paid when wife gives birth
Iran	6 months 100%
Iraq	62 days 100%
Israel	14 weeks 100%. The weeks from 6th to 14th can be taken by the father.	Can take the paid leave instead of the mother starting from the 6th week (up to 14 weeks)	1 year
Japan	14 weeks 60%		1 year	1 year	When parents take turns, the total period may be extended 2 months (but no longer than 1 year for each parent). [23]
Jordan	10 weeks 100%
Korea, Republic of	90 days 100%		1 year (400US$ per a month paid by Employment Insurance) until the child is 3 years old	1 year (400US$ per a month paid by Employment Insurance) until the child is 3 years old
Kuwait	70 days 100%
Lao People's Democratic Republic	3 months 70%
Lebanon	7 weeks 100%	1 day 100%
Malaysia	60 days 100%
Mongolia	120 days 70%
Myanmar	12 weeks 66.7%	Six days of "casual leave" that can be used by fathers to assist their spouses at the time of confinement
Nepal	52 days 100%
New Zealand	14 weeks @ up to NZ$441.62/week		38 weeks	Fathers can share unpaid (extended) leave with the mother of the child.
Pakistan	45 days prior to confinement and 45 days after the confinement under rule 13 of the Revised Leave Rules, 1980. But it is 60 days for Armed Forces Nursing Service (AFNS)100%
Papua New Guinea	12 weeks 0%
Philippines	60 days 100%, applicable also to miscarriages. 78 days 100% for C-section delivery. 7 days 100% parental leave per year for solo parents until the child is 18, or indefinitely if the child has a disability.	Seven days paid paternity leave for married workers. 7 days 100% parental leave per year for solo parents until the child is 18, or indefinitely if the child has a disability.			Maternity and paternity leave benefits are up to the 4th pregnancy only.
Qatar	50 days 100% for civil servants
Saudi Arabia	10 weeks 50% or 100%	One day
Singapore	16 weeks 100%				Leave is restricted to married women whose children are Singapore citizens (at least one parent is a Singapore citizen)
Solomon Islands	12 weeks 25%
Sri Lanka	12 weeks 100% (84 working days), 84 days 50%	03 days 100%	84 days
Syrian Arab Republic	50 days 70%
Thailand	90 days 100% for 45 days then 50% for 45 days
United Arab Emirates	45 Days 100%
Vietnam	4–6 months 100%
Yemen	60 days 100%

International organizations

As international organizations are not subject to the legislation of any country, they have their own internal legislation on parental leave.

Organization	Paid maternity leave	Paid paternity leave	Unpaid maternity leave	Unpaid paternity leave	Restrictions
United Nations[24]	16 weeks 100% (however, no fewer than 10 weeks must be after delivery, even if the pre-delivery leave was longer due to a late birth)	4 weeks 100% (or 8 weeks for staff members serving at locations where they are not allowed to live with their family)			The fact that a staff member is or will be on parental leave cannot be a factor in deciding contract renewal. To ensure that this is enforced, if a contract ends while the staff member is on parental leave, the contract must be extended to cover the duration of such leave.

See also

• Baby Bonus
• Childfree
• Paid family leave
• Parenting
• Sick leave
• Time bind
• Work-life balance
• UK labour law
• US labor law

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} "Employment Relations Research Series No. 80, p. 96,". Department of Business Enterprise & Regulation (2007) (ed.): Internal Review of Leave Policies and Related Research 2007. berr.gov.uk. http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file40677.pdf. 
2. ^ paidfamilyleave.org
3. ^ "Information on Swedish parental leave". forsakringskassan.se. http://www.forsakringskassan.se/. 
4. ^ "Paternity leave and pay: UK Directgov". http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworkentitlements/WorkAndFamilies/Paternityrightsintheworkplace/DG_10029398. Retrieved 2009-06-15. 
5. ^ "Parental leave: Directgov UK". http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworkentitlements/WorkAndFamilies/Parentalleaveandflexibleworking/DG_10029416. Retrieved 2009-06-15. 
6. ^ eesti.ee, accessed 06-22-2007.
7. ^ "Information on Icelandic parental leave". althingi.is. http://www.althingi.is/lagas/132a/2000095.html. 
8. ^ consultant.ru
9. ^ starting at 2011 could be only 13,825.40
10. ^ buhgalteria.ru
11. ^ at 2011 could be only 13,825.40 due to the calculation rule, but old keep the higher
12. ^ lge.gov.uk
13. ^ Service Canada Employment Insurance (EI) and maternity, parental and sickness benefits
14. ^ Service Canada
15. ^ Service Canada
16. ^ ^{a b} paidfamilyleave.org
17. ^ paidfamilyleave.org
18. ^ "Budget 2009-10: Expense Measures", http://www.budget.gov.au/2009-10/content/bp2/html/bp2_expense-13.htm, Australian Government
19. ^ Maternity Benefits Act, 1961. Section 1. VakilNo1. 12 December 1961.
20. ^ Maternity Benefits Act, 1961. Section 4. VakilNo1. 12 December 1961.
21. ^ ^{a b} Lotiya, Palak. "Maternity benefits – A mode of dignifying motherhood". Paycheck.in. Indian Institute of Management.
22. ^ "Recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission relating to enhancement of the quantum of Maternity Leave and introduction of Child Care Leave in respect of Central Government employees". Department of Personnel & Training. Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions. Government of India. 11 September 2008.
23. ^ mhlw.go.jp
24. ^ "UN legislation on maternity and paternity leave". http://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N05/337/76/doc/N0533776.DOC?OpenElement. 

External links

• BBC article on proposed parental leave in Germany designed to halt the decline in the birth rate and male/female workplace inequality - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4852040.stm
• BBC article on declining birth rate in Italy - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4739154.stm
• BBC article on declining birth rate in Poland and new schemes designed to increase it - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4852924.stm
• BBC article on success of Norway's parental leave scheme - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4786160.stm
• BBC guide to parenthood policies in Europe - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4837422.stm (n.b. In this BBC article parental leave means unpaid leave)
• Trends in Maternity Leave for First-Time Mothers in the U.S. - http://fycs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2006/05/family-album-radio-trends-in-maternity.html
• TUC page about maternity rights in the UK - http://www.worksmart.org.uk/rights/what_time_off_work_am_i_entitled
• Center for Law and Social Policy on need for reform in the US: http://www.clasp.org/publications/getting_punched_fullnotes.pdf
• Canadian Labour Standards Government website - http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/lp/spila/wlb/wppp/02leave_benefits.shtml
• International Network on Leave Policy and Research
• Parental Leave in 21 Countries