Thailand raises maternity leave for public officials

The Thailand Cabinet has given in-principle approval to increase the period of paid maternity leave for its public officials from three to six months. 

The longer maternity leave is in line with the government’s policy of encouraging breastfeeding among mothers, aiming to provide support and allow them to continue breastfeeding their newborns with less stress, said Rachada Dhnadirek, deputy government spokeswoman, according to Bangkok Post. 

Previously, the maternity leave policy allowed 90 days of leave with full pay, and another 60 days of leave without pay. However, the new policy will provide 98 days of leave with full pay, and an additional 90 days leave with half of the pay.

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The Cabinet also approved a flexible policy for fathers’ 15-day paid paternity leave, in which they will be able to spread out their leave application as they wish over the course of one year, reports Bangkok Post.

The government will also extend the service hours of nurseries operated by local authorities to match that of working parents.