Chilean women working on a seasonal basis in the fruit industry will be entitled to three months paid post-natal leave, thanks to a new maternity law which comes into effect in just over a year's time.

The new legislation will cover all working women whether they are self-employed or not, on a fixed-term or temporary contract providing they have paid at least 8 months' contributions over a two-year period.

Minister of Agriculture under-secretary Álvaro Cruzat, said he hoped the new rules would make the sector more female-friendly.

"We want to increase the incentives for seasonal female workers to enter and remain  in agriculture, which without doubt will be achieved with the post-natal extension coming into effect," he said.

Women make up nearly a quarter of the total farm labourer workforce.

Details of the new law, which starts on Jan. 1, 2013, can be viewed on the government's Diario Oficial publication.

Photo: Observatoriogeneroyliderazgo.cl

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