LEGISLATION was introduced yesterday to extend maternity leave and give annual two-day childcare leave to parents with children below seven years.

These changes are to amend the Employment Act and the Children Development Co-Savings Act.

The longer maternity leave, from eight to 12 weeks, comes under the new legislation for all women workers.

Both Acts are also amended to allow them to take the extra four weeks any time over a period of six months, after the child's birth.

Proposed changes to the Children Development Co-Savings Act include provisions for the Government to reimburse employers for the extra four weeks of maternity leave for the first and second birth, and the full 12 weeks for the third and fourth.

The childcare leave provision comes under the Employment Act, which precludes certain employees such as professionals. For those covered, it will be an offence if bosses fail to pay them their salary during the leave.

Other proposed changes to the Employment Act include raising the minimum age for employing a child to do light work in a non-industrial environment, from 12 to 13 years.

The proposed amendments are expected to come into effect by Oct 1.