#Honduras 🇭🇳 #BDS_Article: Extension of Maternity and Paternity Leaves: Toward Effective Shared Responsibility

One of the most significant labor rights reforms currently under consideration in Honduras is the amendment of the Labor Code to expand paid maternity and paternity leaves.

This initiative responds not only to growing society demands for greater equity but also to the State’s international commitments in matters concerning child protection, maternal health, and shared family responsibility.

The proposed amendment includes two substantial advances:

Extension of paid maternity leave from twelve (12) to eighteen (18) weeks, representing a standard above the regional minimum in Latin America and aligns with International Labour Organization (ILO) Recommendation No. 191, which suggests a minimum duration of fourteen (14) weeks, extendable to eighteen (18), to safeguard the well-being of both mothers and newborns.

Recognition of sixteen (16) working days of paid paternity leave, as part of a parental co-responsibility approach that fosters the active involvement of fathers in the initial care of their child, thereby strengthening family bonds and supporting equality in the distribution of domestic and caregiving duties.

The expansion of these types of leave is firmly grounded in constitutional law, particularly Articles 111 and 128(11) of the Constitution of the Republic, which establish the State’s duty to ensure comprehensive protection of the family, maternity, and childhood, and recognize the right of pregnant workers to job security and special leave entitlements.

From an international perspective, the reform contributes to honoring several treaties and conventions ratified by Honduras, such as:

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which calls upon State Parties to adopt legislative measures that promote equal employment, protected maternity, and work-family balance.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child, which requires States to take measures to ensure the highest physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the child from birth.

Moreover, this amendment is consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), which advocate for work-life balance policies, adequate parental leave, and equitable access to labor benefits.

Effective implementation of this regulation will require adjustments in both the public and private sectors, including updates to internal regulations, the revision of human resources policies, and coordination with the Honduran Social Security Institute (IHSS) to ensure financial sustainability and benefit coverage.

In conclusion, the expansion of maternity and paternity leaves represents a decisive step toward building a more equitable labor market—one that is gender-sensitive and family-centered—in alignment with the principles of human dignity, social justice, and comprehensive protection enshrined in Honduran law and the international human rights framework. 

Karla Andonie

 Partner, BDS Asesores Honduras