Adoptive parents want South African law to change to ensure compulsory maternity leave for primary caregivers.

A group of adoptive parents and adoption organisations are rallying behind the challenge to South Africa’s labour legislation relating to leave for adoptive parents so it could be brought in line with the mandatory four consecutive months of maternity leave for women employees as stated in the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.

Paid time-off for new mothers — whether through childbirth‚ adoption or surrogacy — is an employee incentive internationally‚ with companies such as Netflix setting the standard by offering new parents unlimited paid leave during the first 12 months. Software giant Adobe and Google provide paid time off for all primary caregivers of 16 weeks and 12 weeks respectively regardless of gender.

Though South Africa does not regulate the provision of adoption‚ government institutions allow both adoptive parents a 45-working-day leave.