MCH Bill: Opportunity to get 6 months maternity leave

The House of Representatives Legislative Body (Baleg DPR) on 9 June deliberated the Maternal and Child Welfare Bill (MCH Bill). The meeting decided that the MCH Bill will be discussed further to be passed into law and included in the list of the 2022 Priority National Legislation Programme (Prolegnas).

Almost all factions of the DPR approved the bill. Only the Golkar Party (Golkar) and National Mandate Party (PAN) factions asked for an in-depth look at the bill.

The MCH Bill has been drafted since December 2019 by the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction with the aim of reducing stunting rates and increasing women's participation in the public sphere. One of the points of consideration in the bill explained that the maternal and child mortality rates are still high due to the low welfare from the pregnancy preparation period to during pregnancy, postnatal period and until the child reaches a certain age. Therefore, the bill was drafted.

The MCH Bill brought a breakthrough that is quite shocking to the public because it regulates at least 6 months maternity leave for working mothers. This policy is deemed to have a very positive impact.

The bill also stipulates that women workers who have a miscarriage are eligible for a 1.5-month leave. Also, women workers who are taking maternity leave or miscarriage leave are not allowed to be dismissed from their work and should still get their rights according to applicable regulations.

Women workers who are taking maternity leave shall receive full salary in the first three months and 70% salary in the following months.

The MCH Bill also regulates a 40-day leave for male workers to provide assistance to their spouse who gives birth and a 7-day leave is their spouse have a miscarriage.

The bill also gives working mothers the right to get break time to express breast milk during working hours.