Maternity Leave Benefits in the Philippines (RA 11210)
Guide to the Expanded Maternity Leave Law — 105 days paid leave, SSS benefits, coverage, and allocable leave.
What Is the Expanded Maternity Leave?
The Expanded Maternity Leave Law (Republic Act No. 11210), signed into law on February 20, 2019, grants all female workers in the Philippines 105 days of paid maternity leave for live childbirth, with an option to extend for an additional 30 days without pay.
This law significantly expanded the previous maternity leave benefit from 60 days (normal delivery) or 78 days (caesarean delivery) to a uniform 105 days regardless of delivery method.
Legal basis: Republic Act No. 11210 (Expanded Maternity Leave Law), IRR issued by DOLE and SSS
Duration of Maternity Leave
| Situation | Paid Leave Days |
|---|---|
| Live childbirth (normal or caesarean) | 105 days |
| Live childbirth + solo parent | 120 days (105 + 15) |
| Miscarriage or emergency termination of pregnancy | 60 days |
- An additional 30 days without pay may be extended at the employee's option
- Up to 7 days may be allocated to the child's father or an alternate caregiver
- There is no limit on the number of pregnancies covered
Who Is Covered?
RA 11210 covers all female workers in both public and private sectors, including:
- Regular, probationary, contractual, and casual employees
- Workers in the informal economy
- Voluntary SSS members
- Kasambahay (domestic workers)
- Women in crisis or emergency situations
Coverage applies regardless of civil status — whether married, single, or in a common-law relationship.
SSS Maternity Benefit
The paid portion of maternity leave is funded by the Social Security System (SSS) through the SSS maternity benefit. The employer advances the payment to the employee, then claims reimbursement from SSS.
Computation
The daily maternity allowance is equivalent to 100% of the member's average daily salary credit (ADSC). The ADSC is computed based on the total salary credits for the 12-month period immediately preceding the semester of delivery.
Eligibility for SSS Maternity Benefit
- The member must have paid at least 3 monthly contributions within the 12-month period immediately preceding the semester of childbirth or miscarriage
- The member must have notified the employer of the pregnancy
Allocable Leave
The female worker may allocate up to 7 days of her maternity leave to:
- The child's father (whether or not married to the mother)
- An alternate caregiver — a relative within the 4th degree of consanguinity or the current partner of the female worker
The allocation must be done in writing and communicated to the employer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is maternity leave in the Philippines?
Under RA 11210 (Expanded Maternity Leave Law), female workers are entitled to 105 days of paid maternity leave for live childbirth. Solo parents receive an additional 15 days, for a total of 120 days. For miscarriage or emergency termination of pregnancy, the leave is 60 days.
Is maternity leave fully paid?
Maternity leave is paid through the SSS maternity benefit, which provides a daily cash allowance equivalent to 100% of the member's average daily salary credit. The employer advances the payment, then claims reimbursement from SSS. The amount depends on the member's SSS contributions.
Can I transfer some maternity leave days to the father?
Yes. Under RA 11210, the female worker may allocate up to 7 days of her maternity leave to the child's father (whether or not married) or to an alternate caregiver such as a relative within the 4th degree of consanguinity.
Who is covered by the expanded maternity leave?
All female workers in the private and public sector are covered, including those in the informal economy, voluntary SSS members, and kasambahay (domestic workers). The benefit applies regardless of civil status and covers every pregnancy instance — there is no limit on the number of pregnancies.