Private and public sector employers under administrative control of the federal government are now required to provide periods of paid maternity and paternity leave to employees as part of efforts to enhance work-family balance. The law — The Maternity and Paternity Leave Act, 2020 — recently passed parliament and took immediate effect.  

Highlights

• Female employees are entitled to take fully paid maternity leave up to 180 days for the birth of the first child, 120 days for the second, and 90 days for the third. For additional children, unpaid leave could be granted.
• Male employees are entitled to take up to 30 days of fully paid paternity leave for the first three separate births. For additional children, unpaid leave could be granted.
• Employers who do not comply face up to six months of imprisonment and/or a fine of PKR100,000. 

Related resource

• The Maternity and Paternity Leave Act, 2020 (Government)