Maternity Protection

In 2011, Chile passed Law No. 20,545 which extended maternity leave to six months, including a new "post-natal parenting leave" with an added 12 to 18 weeks.

The law also allowed for the transfer of up to six weeks of full-time or 12 weeks of part-time leave to the father and provided labor protection for double the leave taken for full-time leave or up to three months for part-time leave.

The law expanded coverage of maternity and post-natal parenting leave to all women who are not working in the six weeks prior to giving birth, with minimum requirements, effective January 1, 2013.

Adopting parents are entitled to maternity leave for children under six months old and post-natal parenting leave for children between 6 months and 18 years old.