Odette Parfitt
I recently used my last childcare leave day for the year to stay home with a sick toddler. You know — one of the three total days you get in a year as an employee in South Africa. My son was booked off for three days (the standard for a flu or sinus infection), but thankfully, we have grandparents nearby.
After this experience, I’ve come to the conclusion that the section of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act dealing with childcare leave was clearly written by someone who has never had to raise a child. I’ve been (perhaps too) vocal about how unrealistic this allotment is — though I’m lucky to work for a company that offers far more generous maternity leave than the legal minimum. Still, I’m hoping someone in HR hears me out.
In the meantime, I decided to get some perspective by comparing South Africa’s parental rights to those around the world.
Where SA Stands
South Africa is one of only four countries globally where companies are not legally required to pay employees during maternity leave. That’s what UIF is for.
However, we’re also one of only 26 countries, and the only one in Africa, that allows same-sex couples to adopt. (We were also the fifth country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage, but I digress — we really should brag about that more.)
A recent ruling improved things slightly: parents in SA are now entitled to four months and 10 days of parental leave, which can be shared between partners. Previously, it was four months for mom and just 10 days for dad.
How Other Countries Do It
Top countries for parental leave:
- Romania: 126 days of maternity leave at 85% pay, plus up to two years of additional child-rearing leave
- Norway: 49 weeks fully paid, or 59 weeks at 80% pay, split between parents
- Bulgaria: 410 days maternity leave at 90% pay
- United Kingdom: Up to 52 weeks (39 weeks at 90% pay); dads/partners get 2 weeks paid
- Sweden: 480 days (390 at 80% pay), shared between parents
- Slovakia: 34 weeks (75% pay), with extensions for single or multiple births; dads get 28 weeks paid
- Croatia: 58 weeks (28 weeks full pay, remainder flat rate); 10 days for dads
- Greece: 43 weeks (100% pay for 17 weeks); dads get 14 days
- Canada: Up to 18 months shared; 55% pay for 12 months or 33% for 18 months
- Czech Republic: 28 weeks (37 for multiples) at 70% pay; dads get 7 days
- New Zealand: 26 weeks paid leave shared between parents
Best countries for dads:
Lithuania (30 days at 77% pay), Japan (1 year, partial pay), Estonia (30 days full pay), Slovenia (12 weeks, varying pay), Norway (15 weeks full or 19 weeks at 80%).
And the Worst
In Eswatini, maternity leave is just two paid weeks. You can take up to 12 weeks off (six before and six after birth), but only two are paid — and you can’t take maternity leave in two consecutive years.
South Africa, along with Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and (surprisingly) the USA, does not require companies to pay maternity leave at all.
As for dads: 90 countries — nearly half the world — don’t legally require any paternity leave. That list includes Canada, China, Germany, and the USA.
The Takeaway
Life as a parent in South Africa could be worse, but it could also be much better.
Government decision-makers, take note.
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