Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1991, published 78th ILC session (1991)

Maternity Protection Convention, 1919 (No. 3) - Colombia (Ratification: 1933)

1. Article 3(a) and (b) of the Convention (total duration of maternity leave). The Committee notes with satisfaction the adoption of Act No. 50 of 28 December 1990, section 34 of which amends section 236 of the Labour Code and provides for the right of women to maternity leave of 12 weeks, which makes it possible to give better effect to these provisions of the Convention. Furthermore, it notes that the extension of the maternity leave set out in section 34 above also applies to women working in the public sector.

The Committee however wishes to draw the Government's attention to certain points that it is raising in a direct request.

2. Furthermore, the Committee hopes that the Government's next report will contain information on the measures that have been taken or are envisaged to amend section 16(b) of Decree No. 770 of 1975, relating to health and maternity insurance, so as to align the duration of maternity benefits with that of maternity leave, as set out in section 236 of the Labour Code, as amended by section 34 of Act No. 50 of 1990.

3. Finally, the Committee hopes that the Government's next report will contain information on all progress achieved in extending the territorial coverage of the social security scheme.