NYAGATARE-Female workers in Nyagatare District have called for the uniform application of the newly enacted Labour Code, especially the law on maternity leave.

The call was made during a discussion on the new maternity law by officials from the government and private sector,in Nyagatare District, yesterday.

The law provides for six consecutive weeks of maternity leave, which may be taken as early as two weeks before giving birth during which a female worker is entitled to a full salary.

In the six weeks following the original maternity leave, a woman has a choice between returning to work and earning a full salary or extend the leave and earn 20 percent of the salary.

She is also entitled to an hour’s break everyday to breast feed for six months after giving birth.

 ”I have no problem with how the government has revised the law. But the concern is that some institutions don’t apply it effectively,” lamented one of the female participants.

The labour inspector in the District, Obess Nkundimana, who was one of the participants, explained the new law applies to all employees working on contractual terms in both government and private institutions.

According to Nkundimana, a survey carried out across different institutions discovered that 12 weeks maternity of leave for women were appropriate to give time for mothers to take care of their infants.

Participants at the dialogue included heads of cooperatives, private and public institutions operating in the district.

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