Tunisian Parliament Approves Bill on Maternity and Paternity Leave in Public and Private Sectors
The Tunisian Parliament approved a bill on July 31, 2024, to organize maternity and paternity leave in both public and private sectors.
Key Changes Introduced by the Bill
The bill introduces several significant changes:
- Unified Maternity Leave: A three-month maternity leave (four months in cases of multiple births, disability, prematurity, or congenital malformation)
- Maternity Leave for Stillbirths: A one-month maternity leave for mothers who have experienced a stillbirth
- Extended Paternity Leave: A seven-day paternity leave (ten days in special circumstances)
Additional Provisions
The bill also provides for:
- A 15-day Prenatal Leave
- An Extension of Postnatal Leave in the private sector, with a prolonged breastfeeding break of up to nine months
Background and Significance
This reform, the result of extensive consultations since March 2022, modernizes laws that have been in place for over 50 years. It responds to the aspirations of those who believe in the need for modern social laws and increased social justice in Tunisia. The bill is in line with the constitutional obligations of the state to protect the family and guarantee the rights of its members, thereby strengthening family cohesion and well-being in Tunisia.
