Under the Maternity Benefits Ordinance No. 32 of 1939 (as amended), eligible female employees in the private sector are entitled to fully paid maternity leave of 84 working days for the first and second live births. Some employers grant up to 100 days under the 2017 amendment — your contract or collective agreement may say more than the statutory floor.

The leave is counted in working days only: weekly rest days, Poya days and public holidays inside the period do not extend the leave — they are simply not counted. Leave is paid in full at your normal salary on normal pay dates, and the period counts as continuous service.

Female employees in establishments covered by the Ordinance who are eligible under its conditions (the qualifying service requirements set out in the Act as amended). The entitlement applies to the first two live births; conditions for third and subsequent births differ and should be checked against the current law.

Public officers do not follow this Ordinance — their leave follows the Establishments Code for public officers, which provides its own maternity leave structure. Both are covered by the Maternity calculator's guidance.

The leave window normally starts up to 14 working days before the expected delivery date (7, 10 or 14 days are the standard choices) and runs for the full entitlement after delivery. The day of delivery begins the post-delivery portion.

Concretely with 84 days and 14 pre-delivery days: about 16.8 working weeks of leave, ending with 'return to work' on the first working day after the leave period — the calculator draws the timeline for you, and it adjusts automatically if you choose no pre-delivery leave.

The employer must pay the full salary during the leave, maintain EPF/ETF continuity and preserve the job: it is unlawful to terminate, penalise or discriminate against an employee for taking maternity leave. Applications need a medical certificate and at least 2 weeks' notice before the expected date of delivery.

After returning, nursing mothers may be entitled to time for nursing until the child is 12 months old (2023 amendments), and new fathers are entitled to 10 working days of paternity leave for the first two children — check the current law for details.

Use the Maternity leave calculator to see the leave plan: leave start, the split before/after delivery, the total leave in working days and weeks, and your return-to-work date. The page also walks through how to apply, how pay is handled, and the employee-vs-HR responsibilities grid.

Estimates only — verify the qualifying conditions and your specific dates with HR or the Labour Department.