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Zimbabwe should legalize paternity leave for a father to take care of his wife
and child ”
Men may by the end of this year be able to take paid paternity leave so that they assist their spouses to take care of their new born babies, the Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Tapiwa Matangaidze, has said.
Paternity leave is a period of absence from work granted to a father shortly before or after the birth of his child.
In Zimbabwe at the moment, only a baby’s mother can take leave after the birth of a child.
Matangaidze said although the draft Bill was yet to be presented to Cabinet, “it was common cause that men should be allowed to apply for paternity leave to care for their children just like what women do.”
In European countries like Sweden, paternity leave is clearly enshrined in their labour laws with vacations of more than one month being awarded to men to mind their children.
In England, Scotland and Wales, both parents can share the 52 weeks of maternity leave between them and paternity leave is paid at the same rate as maternity leave.
Responding to a contribution from Colletta Musara, a lecturer from Great Zimbabwe University, who said the government should also consider legalising paternity leave for a father to take care of his wife and child at the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) Midlands Chamber meeting in Gweru yesterday, Matangaidze said soon, men would be able to go on paternity leave.
He said the ministry was still working on a draft Bill before it becomes an Act of Parliament.
Musara said most fathers wish they could be more involved from the birth of a child, yet many lack the paternity leave they need to be with their family.
Currently, female civil servants take a maximum of three months maternity leave which is paid.
- Chronicle
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