OPINION: More than 100 years ago, the International Labor Organization adopted the Maternity Protection Convention 1919 (No 3) suggesting 12 weeks of paid maternity leave, free healthcare during and after pregnancy, protection from dismissals and periodic nursing breaks. Pakistan still lacks compliance to this “outdated” Convention except on the number of 12-week maternity leave and free medical care. There is no protection from dismissals, and nursing breaks are still not provided under the law. Last week, the Senate of Pakistan made history by passing the Maternity and Paternity Leave Act 2019, applicable to all public and private sector establishments under the administrative control of the federal government. Read More