Maternity leave: How Vietnam compares to neighbors
The ILO believes Vietnam has fairly progressive policies to protect working mothers. Vietnamese female workers are offered up to 26 weeks maternity leave, above the average level of 12-13 weeks seen in Southeast Asia, according to the International Labor Organization. Vietnam has a system of fairly progressive laws and policies in terms of gender equality compared to other regional countries, according to ILO. The country is the most generous for paid maternity leave in the region, and even in the world. ILO has suggested a minimum of 14 weeks. “Employee welfare ultimately benefits companies,” Tran Thi Le, the trade union head at Huu Nghi Trade and Manufacturing Company in Da Nang, said. “If female employees take six months maternity leave so they can take better care of themselves and their babies after delivery, they will come back healthier and more committed to work.”
