I doubt government’s commitment to introducing paternity leave – Sosu

Member of Parliament for Madina, Francis Xavier Sosu has questioned government’s commitment to introducing a Bill on paternity leave and extend the duration of maternity leave.

According to the MP, it is only a political gimmick by the NPP government as it is not committed to ensuring the passage of such a Bill.

The Finance Minister, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam during his mid-year budget presentation to Parliament on Tuesday, July 23 said government has developed a draft Labour Bill, 2024 to strengthening labour administration.

As part of the draft Bill, male workers will be eligible to apply for five days of paternity leave within three months of their wife’s or surrogate’s childbirth or following the adoption of a child under one-year-old.

The three months maternity leave has also been improved with an additional two weeks in the draft Bill.

But MP for Madina, Francis Xavier Sosu who is already championing a Bill on paternity leave is skeptical.

He said, “The Bill I introduced on extension of maternity leave and the introduction of paternity leave has reached advanced stage. The final drafts are ready and they’re actually on the way to be gazetted so that we can do the first reading for it to be referred to the appropriate committee, So, all things being equal, if Parliament is able to pay a closer attention to those bills, they definitely will pass before this Parliament will come to an end and I’m hoping and looking forward to the passing. What government has said I don’t believe in what they are promising.’’

He noted that government should rather support his efforts.

“If government really have any shame at all, and has any modicum of respect for the people of Ghana, they should rather be saying that oh, we support this bill brought by this Honourable member and that we are going to do everything possible to ensure that this bill get passed. And this Bill, once passed, I’m going to assent to it before I leave office.

That is what we should be hearing from the President. But just coming to Parliament and just announcing again that oh we will be bringing, we will be extending maternity leave when you have few days to leave office, for me I don’t think that shows any commitment and any sense of urgency and seriousness and even sense of respect for the people of Ghana,” Mr Sosu stressed.

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There is no way Bill on paternity leave can be passed by end of year – Gamey

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