Independent Senator Jose A. “Chaco” Vargas Vidot filed Senate Bill 155 to extend the period of maternity leave, and create paternity leave in the private sector. Also, by becoming law, the measure would recognize a surrogacy license in both the public and private sectors. It would also extend the period of paternity leave for Puerto Rican government employees.
According to the project, in Puerto Rico, women working in the public sector benefit from maternity leave of up to 12 weeks. However, private sector employees face disadvantage and inequality as the period granted to them for maternity leave is shorter than that of public sector employees. Thus, the project proposes to extend the period of maternity leave for women working in private enterprise up to a maximum of 12 weeks. This will promote equal rights for all working women on the island.
Also, a surrogacy maternity leave would be recognized, maternity recognized in the new Civil Code, and which is presented as a scientific alternative to maternity in different instances. Surrogacy has seen a growth in recent years, so it is imperative to give women who opt for this option the same rights as those who give birth or adopt.
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According to the Independent Senator, patriarchal conceptions in Puerto Rico have long determined that women are subjugated to their male partners, which has led to gender inequality in multiple contexts. As a result, the care of sons and daughters has fallen almost exclusively into the hands of mothers. This not only encourages discrimination, but also hinders healthy parent-child relationships. That is why the project extends the benefit of paternity leave to private employees for up to six (6) weeks.
Currently, the law recognizes public employees a paternity leave, which extends for 15 working days. This legislation creates a paternity leave for employees of the private company and extends the period for public employees for 6 weeks, in order to create a level playing field for all workers on the island.
“This breakthrough project aims, among other things, to break with sexist paradigms that have settled in Puerto Rico and have spread to the detriment of Puerto Rican women, and even men. We must move forward. a present of equity and we can continue the battle in the work environment, “said Senator Vargas Vidot.