Under Zambian law, a female employee is entitled to fourteen weeks of maternity leave [Employment Code Act, S.41]. This leave can be taken either immediately before the expected delivery date (with at least six weeks required after delivery) or entirely after delivery, provided the employee produces a medical certificate.
If an employee has worked continuously with the same employer for twenty-four months before maternity leave begins, the leave entitlement is paid [Employment Code Act, S.41]. In cases of multiple births, the fourteen weeks are extended by an additional four weeks [Employment Code Act, S.41].
A female employee is also entitled to one day's absence from work each month without needing a medical certificate or explanation to the employer [Employment Code Act, S.47]. Additionally, female employees receive protection against dismissal connected with maternity leave [Employment Code Act, S.43].
For context, fathers are entitled to at least five continuous working days of paternity leave if taken within seven days of the child's birth, provided they have been employed continuously for at least twelve months [Employment Code Act, S.46].