Independent Senator José A. “Chaco” Vargas Vidot tabled Senate Bill 155 to extend the period of maternity leave and create paternity leave in the private sector. Similarly, when it became law, the measure would recognize leave for subrogated tasks in both the public and private sectors. It would also extend the period of paternity leave for Puerto Rican government employees.
According to the project, in Puerto Rico, women working in the public sector benefit from maternity leave of up to 12 weeks. However, private sector employees face disadvantages and inequalities, as the period in which they were granted maternity leave is shorter than that of public sector employees. In this way, the project proposes to extend the period of maternity leave for women working in private companies up to a maximum of 12 weeks. This will promote equal rights for all women working on the island.
Likewise, a surrogate maternity leave would be recognized, maternity recognized in the new Civil Code and which is presented as a scientific alternative to maternity in various cases. Surrogacy has seen an increase in recent years, so it is imperative to give women who choose this option the same rights as those who give birth or adopt.
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According to the independent senator, the patriarchal conceptions of Puerto Rico have determined, for a long time, that women are subject to their male partners, which has caused gender inequalities in multiple contexts. As a result, the care of sons and daughters fell almost exclusively into the hands of mothers. This not only encourages discrimination, but also hinders the healthy relationships of parents. This is why the project extends the benefit of paternity leave for private employees up to six (6) weeks.
Currently, the law provides for public employees paternity leave, which lasts 15 working days. This legislation creates paternity leave for employees of the private company and the period for public employees is extended by 6 weeks, to create a level playing field for all workers on the island.
“This prospective project intends, among other things, to break with the macho paradigms that have been established in Puerto Rico and that have spread to the detriment of Puerto Rican women and even men. We must move towards a present of equity and we can continue the fight at work “, said Senator Vargas Vidot.