Cabinet approves maternity Convention

Cabinet has approved the International Labour Organization (ILO)’s Maternity Protection Convention which seeks to safeguard the health of expectant and nursing mothers.

The Convention which is currently before parliament will also protect the women from job discrimination.

Maternity Protection 2000, as enshrined in the ILO Act mandates employers to ensure the safety of pregnant women in the work environment.

Under the instrument, employers cannot engage pregnantly or breastfeeding women to perform work which has been determined by the competent authority to be unfavorable or dangerous to their health or the child.

The Convention prescribes at least 14- weeks maternity leave for nursing and expectant mothers to enable them to recuperate well after delivery.

The length of leave, according to the ILO, is critical in enabling mothers to recover from childbirth and return to work while providing adequate care to their children.

It also guarantees women the right to return to the same position or equivalent position paid the same salary at the end of the maternity leave.

Though Ghana is one of the signatories to the Convention, it has remained on the shelves amid labour agitation for its ratification.

In his address at the 10th quadrennial congress of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Kumasi, the Secretary -General, Kofi Asamoah, said there’s still work to be done to improve the well-being of the Ghanaian worker, especially women.

“You will agree with that we still have a long way to go. Abuses of workers’ rights are still going on at various workplaces. Women, informal economy workers, youth, workers with disability and domestic workers are the most vulnerable," he pointed out.

President Mahama told the TUC congress cabinet has given approval for the ratification of the Convention.

“At the policy level, I am happy to inform you that the ILO Maternity Protection Convention has been approved by cabinet and it’s currently before parliament. Its objectivity is to enhance the welfare of pregnant mothers and their babies," the President explained.