By: Bernadette Carreon
President Surangel Whipps Jr. is urging Palau’s Congress to consider policies that support maternity leave, which, he noted, has not yet received approval from lawmakers.
In his State of the Republic Address yesterday, Whipps reminded the Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) that mothers already find balancing work and family “challenging.”
“The 11th OEK considered a bill to provide paid maternity leave for pregnant mothers. Unfortunately, the bill did not pass, although we would have welcomed the opportunity to sign it,” he stated.
Several bills proposing maternity leave have been introduced but have not yet passed in the OEK.
In 2022, the Senate introduced a bill providing for one month of paid leave and one month of unpaid leave for employees who give birth, adopt, or have a spouse who gives birth to a new child.
The bill also proposed penalties for employers who punish employees for using their leave time. Additionally, it required all employers to offer paid annual leave of at least 12 days per year to employees who had worked for six consecutive months. Any unused accrued leave could be forfeited at the end of the calendar year.
According to the bill, employers cannot penalize employees for applying for or taking leave.
Whipps commended the states of Koror and Airai for passing local laws that grant mothers maternity leave, allowing them time to heal and care for their newborns.
The president cited a recent report indicating that not only are more women joining the workforce, but the proportion of women in management positions has increased from 30% to 50% between 2013 and 2023.
“Many of these women are working mothers. Balancing work and family is already challenging, but we encourage the OEK to consider policies that support maternity leave and promote the establishment of daycare centers.”