Written by Intern Rency Gomes, Team Allycaral National Desk
The government has approved sweeping legislative changes aimed at strengthening parental rights and workplace protections, Labour Minister Leroy Baptiste announced. The Cabinet has cleared amendments to the Maternity Protection Act and the Retrenchment and Severance Benefits Act, marking a significant shift in labour policy to reflect evolving family structures and caregiving responsibilities.
According to the minister, the amendments will broaden paid leave entitlements beyond mothers to include fathers and adoptive parents, promoting shared parenting and greater gender balance in caregiving roles. This expansion is seen as a major step towards more inclusive and family-friendly workplace policies.
The reforms also remove several long-standing restrictions on maternity benefits that have been criticised by workers’ unions and labour rights advocates for years. These changes aim to ensure that women are better protected during pregnancy and after childbirth, without facing unnecessary employment barriers.
Once enacted, the revised laws are expected to enhance job security, improve work-life balance, and provide stronger protections for parents during and after childbirth or adoption. The government says the measures reaffirm its commitment to progressive labour reforms that support families, promote equality in the workplace, and adapt employment laws to contemporary social realities.
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