Fathers in South Africa could get 10 days’ of parental leave on the birth of a child under the Labour Laws Amendment Bill adopted by the National Assembly on Tuesday.

The private member’s bill was proposed by African Christian Democratic Party MP Cheryllyn Dudley and will now be referred to the National Council of Provinces.

Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) parliamentary co-ordinator Matthew Parks welcomed the passage of the bill, which also provides for 10 weeks of adoption leave for one parent when adopting a child under two years; increases unemployment insurance benefits from 238 to 365 days and increases maternity benefits to 66%. Public servants have also been included under the Unemployment Insurance Fund.

“This bill will see billions of rand released from the UIF into the pockets of workers, and thus help them take care of their families and spur local economies. It will also help fathers play greater roles in taking care of their newborn children,” Parks said.

•Sourced from Business Day, South Africa