Dodoma. The Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania has approved the Labour Laws (Amendments) Bill, 2024, which includes an extension of maternity leave for women giving birth to premature babies from 36 weeks to 40 weeks. It also provides seven days of leave for fathers of premature babies.
This was announced in the Parliament by the Minister for Minerals, Antony Mavunde, when presenting the 2024 Labour Laws (Amendments) Bill on behalf of the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office for Labour, Youth, Employment, and Disabled People, Ridhiwani Kikwete.
“The aim of these amendments is to protect the wellbeing and health of children born prematurely, who require sufficient time for maternal care,” Mavunde said while presenting the bill on January 31, 2025, in Dodoma.
Previously, the bill proposed a 36-week period as the maximum maternity leave for female workers who give birth.
“After discussions with the Parliamentary Committee, the Government agreed with the proposal to extend the leave period to 40 weeks,” Mavunde added.
He also mentioned that the Government accepted the committee’s suggestion to extend paternity leave for fathers of premature babies, giving them seven days off after an initial three-day leave.
In her contribution to the proposal, Mchinga MP, Salma Kikwete, emphasized the importance of the extended leave for women giving birth, but also urged fathers not to use the additional leave for personal activities but to assist their wives in caring for their newborns.
“But the advice here for fathers is that you should not use that one week for personal activities,” Salma said. “You are given that one week to care for and help the mother take care of the child who has been born.”
The Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Tulia Ackson, concluded the debate on the amendments, stating that the bill will be sent to President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for signing and formal adoption into law, in accordance with the Constitution.
Jackline Kuwanda is The Chanzo’s journalist based in Dodoma. You can reach her at jackline@thechanzo.com.
