#Nicaragua 🇳🇮 #BDS_LaborAlert: Extended Maternity Leave Subsidy

In Nicaragua, both the Labor Code (Act No. 185) and the Social Security Act (Consolidated Text of Decree-Law No. 974) establish that a pregnant woman is entitled to a maternity leave allowance consisting of four weeks prior to childbirth and eight weeks thereafter, or ten weeks in the event of multiple births. However, this provision has recently been expanded.

This change arises from a constitutional amendment to Article 67 of the Political Constitution of Nicaragua, published in the Official Gazette No. 32 of Tuesday, February 18, 2025, which states the following:

Article 67. The State shall grant special protection during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Women shall be entitled to no less than ninety days of paid prenatal and postnatal leave, along with appropriate social security benefits…

This enhancement to the maternity leave benefit increases the previously established leave period by ten days. Although the reform has not yet been formally incorporated into the labor and social security laws, its constitutional status renders it a binding legal provision.

It is expected that this labor benefit will be included in the internal workplace regulations approved by the Ministry of Labor and reflected in the maternity allowances granted to pregnant employees.

Please contact us if you have questions or need advice regarding this or any other labor-related matters.

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