Special benefits for maternity and compassionate care to be expanded in B.C.
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VICTORIA — B-C’s New Democrat government is taking steps to improve or extend maternity, parental and compassionate care leaves in this province, saying the upgrades for five special work absences will make leaves as good, if not better, than those offered in other parts of Canada.
Amendments to the Employment Standards Act were introduced in the legislature yesterday by Labour Minister Harry Bains and, if approved, he says they will offer more flexibility and support to families facing difficult times.
Changes include allowing mothers to start maternity leave as early as 13 weeks before the expected birth, while new parents can take a longer unpaid parental leave to care for their baby, offering up to 18 months of leave for birth mothers, while ensuring job protection.
A new unpaid, job-protected leave of up to 52 weeks has also been introduced, aimed at assisting a worker if their child goes missing as a result of a crime. (The Canadian Press)
