From the “Legal Consultancy” column: How long does “pregnancy and maternity leave“ last and what is the procedure?

Answer: According to the law 233 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, if a woman is pregnant and works under an employment contract under the laws of Uzbekistan, 70 (seventy) calendar days before giving birth and 56 (fifty six) calendar days after giving birth. (70 calendar days in case of difficult childbirth or in case of birth of two or more children) pregnancy and maternity leave are granted and benefits are paid according to the state social insurance. According to paragraph 30 of the Instruction “On the procedure for providing information on incapacity for work forms and information” registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan on January 19, 2000 with № 873, pregnancy and childbirth the form of incapacity for work is issued by doctors of women’s consultation rooms or maternity hospitals, complexes, units, and obstetricians-gynecologists of general treatment preventive institutions for 126 calendar days, starting from the 30th week of pregnancy. This form of incapacity for work is the basis for the appointment and payment of the allowance for pregnancy and childbirth. The form of incapacity for work should be submitted to the personnel department of the enterprise, or, if not, to the accounting department. Women must notify their employer in advance of pregnancy and maternity leave. A pregnant woman is granted pregnancy and maternity leave for a period of 70 (seventy) calendar days and 56 (fifty-six) calendar days after giving birth (seventy calendar days in case of difficult childbirth or birth of two or more children) and allowance is paid for this period. According to the law, if the working experience is less than 12 months, the allowance is paid in the amount of 75% of the salary, and if it is more than 12 months, it is paid in the amount of 100%. That is, let’s say If a woman who earns a monthly salary of 1 mln. Soums and goes on “leave” after working for only 5 months, her monthly allowance is 750,000 soums. The amount of the money is paid in advance for all months.