Maternity Leave Regulation 2011

"By consent of the Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Prime Minister's Office hereby announces the Maternity Leave Regulation 2011.

The Regulation underlines the eligibility conditions, whereby Maternity Leave is granted to women officers and staff in the Civil Service who are legally married under the Brunei Darussalam Law. This refers to Women officers and staff on Permanent Service, Contract, Site-staff, Month-to-month basis, Open Vote and Daily Paid.

The Overall Maternity Leave Duration granted is 15 weeks or 105 days; 2 weeks are to be taken before the expected date of delivery.

The General Condition also underlined is that the Leave must be confirmed by the Government Medical Officer. Apart from that, Maternity Leave is to be spent in Brunei Darussalam only, except for Officers working outside Brunei Darussalam. Officers who have to deliver outside Brunei Darussalam owing to midwifery complications or those who need to undergo post-natal treatment outside the country.

Maternity Leave will not be deducted from any remaining Annual Leave. During the course of the Maternity Leave an officer is not entitled to an Annual Leave. Maternity Leave will be a fully-paid leave for a service of more than 180 days; half the monthly salary for a service of 90 to 180 days, and no pay for a service of less than 90 days.

In the case that involves Miscarriage at less than 24 weeks, the woman officer will be allowed a Sick Leave. In the case involving Still-born babies, the woman officer will be given Maternity Leave of 8 weeks only. In these cases, the Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Certificates are to be endorsed by the Government Medical Officer. The Prime Minister's Office Circular number 17/1993 dated 4th September 1993 is hereby invalid. Meanwhile, this new regulation took effect on the 1st of January 2011. "

Extracted from RTB News, 3rd January, 2011.

Original text (Malay) of the circular is available online at Prime Minister's Office website:
http://www.jpm.gov.bn/pmo1/images/download/circulars/circulars2011/skjpm1_2011.pdf

His Majesty's Titah at Ministry of Health, 20th Oct 2010

His Majesty delivering his Titah at Ministry of Health after visiting RIPAS (pic below)

His Majesty visits the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) at RIPAS Hospital

(Images (C) Infofoto 2010)

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddien Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to visit the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha, RIPAS Hospital in the capital on 20th October 2010. Present with His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince, Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, His Royal Highness Prince Haji 'Abdul 'Azim and His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malek.

His Majesty has underscored the extensive responsibility of the health authorities in providing various health facilities and services. This is in view of the prime importance of health in life and it cannot be regarded as a small matter. His Majesty was speaking during a visit to the Ministry of Health later in the afternoon. In his titah, His Majesty also posed such questions as to whether such commodities as medicines and vegetables imported into the country are analysed for any dangerous content, prior to being marketed to the public. His Majesty also underscored the importance for the relevant authorities to be more mindful in evaluating the expertise of prospective personnel to be recruited into the health services.

His Majesty went on to question whether the failure like the one resulting in death after the operation had ever been reviewed or its cause ever discussed. His Majesty said in other places such a matter would not have been kept quiet. The ruler suggested that it should have been investigated so as to identify the quality of the officer involved.

His Majesty also spoke on the need to review regulations on maternity leave, to be extended from the existing period, taking into account that the responsibilities of mothers are very heavy and challenging. His Majesty pointed out that mothers are the ones who bring about new generations. As such, it is only appropriate that their welfare be given due attention and managed without them having to voice it out and ask.

His Majesty in the titah, questioned whether such commodities as medicines, vegetables and fish, especially those imported analysed for any dangerious content prior to being sold at markets in the country. Food Safety - Vegetables need to be protected from hazardous toxic materials. They should meet the terms and conditions of standards for food products. Food Safety - Authorities are to ensure that fish are free from dangerous preservatives or chemicals.

Source: RTB News, 21 October 2010