The long-awaited Labour (Amendment) Bill, 2023, spearheaded by National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for Madina Constituency, Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu, is set to progress as it reaches the final stages before adoption.
The draft Bill, aimed at extending maternity leave and introducing paternity leave in Ghana, has been finalized by the Parliament of Ghana and is now ready for gazetting.
This crucial step follows extensive deliberations and stakeholder engagements initiated by Lawyer Sosu since its introduction in October 2023.
Key provisions of the Bill include an amendment to section 54 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), which mandates a minimum maternity leave period of seventeen weeks and a maximum of twenty-six weeks.
It also introduces paternity leave of a minimum of two weeks and a maximum of four weeks, which can be taken alongside annual leave, upon the birth of a child, supported by a medical certificate indicating the expected date of confinement.
Furthermore, the Bill allows for flexibility in working conditions for pregnant or lactating female workers, enabling them to apply for adjusted work arrangements in writing. Employers are required to respond to such requests within fourteen days, indicating approval or reasons for refusal.
Reflecting on the objectives of the Bill, MP Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu stated, “This legislative effort is pivotal in advancing gender parity and fostering a fair, inclusive, and progressive society for all. It addresses critical gaps in our current labour laws to support working mothers and promote family-friendly workplace policies.”
The next steps for the Bill involve gazetting and its formal introduction on the floor of the House for its first reading, followed by referral to the relevant committee for detailed consideration.Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu, also serving as the Deputy Ranking Member of the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament, has been a prominent advocate for legislative reforms. His initiatives, including bills against the death penalty, anti-witchcraft accusations, community sentencing, and tax removal on sanitary pads, underscore his commitment to social justice and legislative progress.
