Babycare and the Law

All about Babycare and the Law, Maternity Leave and Labour Law, Pregnancy and Labour Laws and Babycare in Zambia and more on Mywage Zambia

By Meluse Kapatamoyo

Married to her university sweetheart and landing her dream job as a banker, Joan’s next plan was to have a baby. However, she did not plan on falling pregnant two months after getting employed. Joan knew that having worked only for two months, she would not be entitled to full maternity leave.  

Zambia’s Employment Act, Chapter 268 states that maternity leave of 90 days (for public institutions) and in some cases 120 days (for some private sector companies), should be granted to women who have been in continuous service for two years from the date of first engagement, or since their last maternity leave.  Women who fall pregnant before the stipulated period are only entitled to one month of leave.

MyWage spoke to Joan about the joy of motherhood and the frustration of not having full maternity leave.

MyWage: You became a mum some two weeks ago, how are you adapting to motherhood?

Joan: Well, it’s challenging. I never imagined that babies could be so demanding, there is absolutely no time for anything else. But I will tell you this though, I have never been happier, she is an absolute angel.

MyWage: After your Caesarean  operation, how are you feeling physically?  

Joan: That has been a bit of a problem. The doctors advised that I should take it easy, get lots of rest but how is that possible when you have a baby to take care of? I am still in pain but am told that’s to be expected so I focus on my child. I do not have much time left  to spend with her.

MyWage: Yes, you have two more weeks left before you get back to work. How difficult is that going to be?

Joan: It will feel like a cruel thing to do. How can I leave my child alone and get back to work when she’s only a month old? She knows when I am around her, I see how calm she gets and I have no doubt that she will sense my absence. I do not know how I will be able to work. I have even contemplated quitting my job, but my husband says I worked too hard to get my advanced diploma and deserve to reap the rewards.  Our plan is that he will take his annual leave once my 30 days elapse. 

MyWage: That is an alternative. You have a very supportive husband, not many men would be willing to spend their annual holiday changing diapers.

Joan: Oh yes, he is! I suppose he knows that if there was any way I could stay home much longer, I would. I went on leave two days before my due-date. That just proves I was not willing to waste a day at home. And thank God my husband is not too traditional. He adores his daughter and sees nothing wrong with changing diapers and giving her a bath. At least I will know she is in good hands. After that we are going to have to hire a maid. 

MyWage: What was your initial plan, when were you planning on starting a family?

Joan: Definitely after clocking two years at my job. I would have loved to get the full maternity leave.  But things happened the way they did. I have always thought the three months full-maternity leave was enough for a mother to be with her baby. A month is like abandoning a child at birth.

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Find out more about the different kinds of Leave in the Workplace.


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