Bill proposes leave for adoptive parents
What you need to know:
- “This means that where an employee adopts a child, they may not have the opportunity to care and nurture the child as the employee would have cared for a biological child,” said Ms Wangari.
A Bill that could compel employers to grant leave to parents who adopt children is set to be tabled in the Senate.
The Bill, sponsored by Nominated Senator Martha Wangari, seeks to amend the Employment Act to provide for adoptive leave for employees.
The Employment Act provides for maternity and paternity leave, which applies to biological children, but does not provide time away from work for adoptive parents.
“This means that where an employee adopts a child, they may not have the opportunity to care and nurture the child as the employee would have cared for a biological child,” said Ms Wangari.
She explained that in case the adopted child is less than three years old, an employee should be entitled to three months adoptive leave with full pay.
If the child is above three years, but below 12, the Bill provides that the employee shall be entitled to two months adoptive leave with full pay.
“And in cases where the child is above 12 years of age, the employee shall be entitled to one month’s adoptive leave with full pay,” states the Bill.
Ms Wangare said that the Constitution provides for the rights of children, which should be made available to all children, including adopted ones.
The Bill will be tabled in the Senate when it resumes on February 10.
