Paternity and Maternity Leave in the Philippines (2025 Update)

Starting or expanding a family is a life-changing moment, and having enough time to recover, bond, and adjust is essential. In the Philippines, maternity and paternity leave benefits are designed to support working parents through this transition. As we step into 2025, it’s important for both employers and employees to stay updated on the latest policies and changes that can impact them.

Maternity Leave in the Philippines

Under Republic Act No. 11210, or the Expanded Maternity Leave Law, eligible female employees are entitled to:
• 105 days of paid maternity leave for live childbirth, whether normal or cesarean delivery.
• Additional 15 days for solo parents (as per the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act).
• 7 days of transferable leave to the father or an alternate caregiver.
• 60 days of paid leave for miscarriage or emergency termination of pregnancy.
• Optional 30 days of unpaid leave upon request.

Eligibility for Maternity Leave

To qualify for maternity leave benefits, an employee must:
• Be a female worker in the public or private sector.
• Have made at least three monthly contributions to the Social Security System (SSS) within the 12 months before the childbirth or miscarriage.
• Notify the employer (for private sector employees) or submit an application to SSS (for self-employed individuals).

Paternity Leave in the Philippines

Fathers play a crucial role in early childcare, which is why the Paternity Leave Act of 1996 (Republic Act No. 8187) grants benefits to married male employees. These include:

7 days of paid leave for the birth of a child or in case of miscarriage.

Coverage for only the first four children.

The leave must be taken within a reasonable time before or after childbirth.

Expanded Paternity Benefits

With the Expanded Maternity Leave Law, fathers can now benefit from 7 additional days of leave transferred from the mother, effectively giving them 14 days of leave to support their spouse and newborn.

Maternity and Paternity Leave for Government Employees

Government employees enjoy similar benefits under the Civil Service Commission (CSC) rules, but instead of SSS benefits, they receive their full salary during their leave period.

What's new in 2025?

Increase in SSS Contributions: Starting January 1, 2025, the Social Security System (SSS) implemented a 1% increase in the contribution rate, raising it from 14% to 15%. This aligns with Republic Act No. 11199 (Social Security Act of 2018). Now, employers contribute 10%, while employees contribute 5% to the fund. Additionally, the minimum Monthly Salary Credit (MSC) has increased to ₱5,000 (previously ₱4,000), and the maximum MSC is now ₱35,000 (previously ₱30,000).

Stricter Employer Compliance: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is keeping a close watch to ensure that businesses are properly implementing maternity and paternity leave policies. Employers must adhere to these regulations, or they may face penalties. Routine inspections and audits will help ensure compliance.

More Benefits for Solo Parents? The Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act has provided solo parents with better leave benefits and financial support. While there are discussions about potential enhancements—such as more leave days or additional government support—nothing has been officially announced yet. Solo parents should keep an eye out for any updates to maximize their entitlements.