The MCH Bill Which Regulates 6 Months Of Maternity Leave Will Soon Become A DPR Initiative Bill

Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani (Photo from DPR Doc)

JAKARTA - The Maternal and Child Welfare Bill (RUU KIA) will soon be ratified. The bill, one of which discusses 6 months of maternity leave, will be ratified as a DPR initiative bill in the plenary session of Thursday, June 30, 2022.

"The deliberative body (Bamus) of the DPR has agreed that the Maternal and Child Welfare Bill or the MCH Bill will be ratified as a DPR initiative bill in the nearest plenary session," said DPR Speaker Puan Maharani, Friday, June 24.

After the MCH Bill is passed as a DPR initiative bill, the council still needs to wait for the president's letter (Supres) and the Problem Inventory List (DIM) from the Government before Bamus decides on the board's equipment (AKD) which will together with the Government conduct level I discussions.

"We hope that the process and mechanism for discussing the MCH Bill will run smoothly so that Indonesia can immediately have more rigid guidelines and legal umbrellas in ensuring the welfare of mothers and children," explained Puan.

Puan said the MCH Bill was very important to regulate the acceleration of realizing family welfare, especially the welfare of mothers who gave birth to the nation's next generation and the welfare of children as heirs and successors of the life of the nation and state. According to Puan, family welfare is a guarantee in creating superior human beings in order to achieve Golden Indonesia 2045.

"It is the duty and responsibility of the state to advance the human resources of the nation through the welfare of the families of each of its people," he said.

"To achieve this goal, the welfare of mothers and children must be the key," added Puan.

The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture emphasized that the MCH Bill also has a goal so that the growth and development of children as the nation's successors can run well. Puan said the MCH Bill would support the Government's efforts to tackle the stunting problem, which is still a big problem in Indonesia.

"With the regulation of the MCH Bill, the guidelines for overcoming stunting and the problem of child growth and development can be clearer. The MCH Bill is very much needed in welcoming Indonesia's golden generation," he said.

Puan understands that the proposal for 6 months maternity leave for working mothers raises pros and cons in the community. Even so, he ensured that the formulation of the MCH Bill would not conflict with other laws, including Law Number 13 of 2003 concerning Manpower.

“DPR together with the Government will seek input from all relevant stakeholders. And we hope that the best solution can be found that can accommodate the interests of all parties,” explained Puan.

"For that, I ask for support from the community so that we can produce good legal products for the people, especially for the welfare of mothers and children which are very important in nation building," added the grandson of the Proclaimer of Indonesia Bung Karno.

To note, the MCH Bill emphasizes the importance of implementing the welfare of mothers and children in a directed, integrated, and sustainable manner. One of them is through the fulfillment of the basic rights of parents, especially mothers, including the right to adequate leave for working parents.

In addition to the issue of 6 months maternity leave for working mothers, the MCH Bill also proposes 40 days of paternity leave. With this paternity leave, it is hoped that the husband's work can help his wife take care of the newborn child.