Parliament has adopted the Labour Laws Amendment Bill which will change the structure of parental leave including more time for dads and adoptive parents.
Parental leave is currently open for an amendment with thanks to a new Labour Law Amendment Bill. The Bill will increase the amount of leave expecting fathers get after their baby is born. Adoptive parents will also be eligible for extensive leave allowing them to become familiar and settled with their new baby/child/teen.
Currently, expecting fathers only get the standard 3 days Family Responsibility leave after a child’s birth, the new bill will ensure that new fathers get a total of 10 days at home with their newborns. The bill will also give adoptive parents a total of 10 weeks to be with their child.
The bill was proposed by ACDP MP Cheryllyn Dudley, a private member, but saw support across the political spectrum. This is the first time a private member’s bill has been adopted by the National Assembly.
Many countries are adopting these bill amendments and if South Africa’s gets approved, it will make SA one of the more progressive countries in the world. The next few steps will determine whether or not the bill is signed into law.
“It is published in the Government Gazette for public comment and then referred to the relevant committee. It is debated in the relevant committees of Parliament and amended if necessary. If the Bill passes through both the NA and the NCOP, it goes to the President for assent (signed into law). Once it is signed by the President, it becomes an Act of Parliament and a law of the land.” – The South African
What are your thoughts on this exciting new step South Africa is about to take (hopefully)?
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