Oyo State government has extended maternity leave to six months for workers in the state. The leave can only be taken four time for their duration of service.
The Commissioner for Establishment, Shangodoyin, told newsmen that Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration has approved an upward review of maternity leave period for pregnant women and nursing mothers in the employment of the state.
He added that the Council has also adopted the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation on exclusive breast-feeding of a child.
According to Shangodoyin, the Council, after deliberating on a memorandum for the review, agreed to an upward review of the leave from four to six months, weekends inclusive, with full payment of salaries and other benefits.
He stated, however, that the period of closing at 2 p.m. for six months has now been cancelled.
He said: “At the 38th meeting held today, we deliberated on a memorandum on the review of maternity leave for pregnant and nursing mothers in the employment of Oyo State for every motherhood and we resolved and approved as follows:
“The adoption of WHO recommendation on this matter on exclusive breast-feeding of a child.
“An upward review of maternity leave period for pregnant and nursing mothers in the employment of the state from four to six months, weekends inclusive, with full payment of salaries and other benefits.
“Also, the period of closing at 2pm for six months, upon resumption has been cancelled. The application shall be for civil and public service workers only.
“The Executive Council also approved that the leave shall commence from four weeks to the expected date of delivery and it shall be mandatory for beneficiaries to proceed for the four weeks pre-natal leave as specified in the civil service rule.
“Also, we approved that the review is for female employees of Oyo State Government only and it shall be enjoyed at most four times in her service years.”
Upon resumption from leave, the female workers are to close at usual 4 pm as other workers and not 2 pm as was the previous practice.
