Parliament has passed amendments to the Employment Act, including extending the period employees can take childcare breaks after maternity leave.

The bill was approved on Sunday with 62 votes in favour. Under the amendment, employees returning to work after maternity leave will be entitled to two 30-minute breaks each day to attend to their child until the child turns two, extended from the previous limit of one year. These breaks must be given in addition to the standard one-hour daily break and cannot result in salary deductions.

The changes also standardise the termination notice period, requiring two weeks’ notice for employees who have worked for less than one year.

In addition, the Cabinet will be able to waive foreign worker quota fees for certain businesses to support small and medium-sized enterprises.

Another amendment requires Labour Relations Authority officers to maintain confidentiality during and after their employment, with fines between MVR 5,000 and MVR 25,000 for breaches.

The law will come into effect after ratification by the President.