Maternity leave entitlements

(1) In any public or private industrial or commercial undertaking or in any branch thereof, or in any agricultural undertaking or any branch thereof a female worker shall be entitled to a total of fourteen weeks’ maternity leave which shall be on full pay. Maternity leave shall be taken as follows– (a) Up to a maximum of seven weeks before the expected date of confinement on full pay; (b) The balance after the expected date of confinement on full pay; (c) Two weeks before and seven weeks after the expected date of confinement shall be mandatory, Provided that during the twelve months preceding her confinement she was employed by the same employer for a period of not less than one hundred and fifty days. (2) Where, during the twelve months immediately preceding her expected date of confinement, a female worker was not employed by the same employer for a minimum period of one hundred and fifty days, she will be granted maternity leave (3) In the case of a female worker who is entitled to maternity benefits under this section as well as under the Social Security Act, such worker shall receive maternity benefits under the Social Security Act, and in addition be entitled to be paid by CAP. 44. 110 her employer the difference, if any, between the maternity benefits under this section and those accruing under the Social Security Act. (4) No employer is liable to pay the medical expenses or any part thereof which have been incurred by a female worker during or attributable to her pregnancy or confinement. (5) All applications for maternity leave shall be submitted at least ten weeks prior to the worker’s expected date of confinement and shall be accompanied by a medical certificate from a qualified medical practitioner stating the expected date of confinement.