Simberi Gold Company Limited has been ensuring their female employees spend more time with their newborns.
Though it is a small mine in PNG, 62 female employees have benefited from a Maternity Leave Policy since it’s inception in March 2019 at a cost of K6.8 million.
The company prides itself to be an employer of choice for women with an attractive maternity policy, that addresses the need for primary care givers by increasing leave up to one year four months and two weeks.
Female employees are entitled to four months and two weeks of paid maternity leave and are entitled to request for an additional 12 months of unpaid maternity leave. Under this policy, male employees are also entitled to paternity leave, which provides 15 days of fully paid leave to be taken within 12 months of the child’s birth.
This benefit ensures that female employees are retained after taking maternity leave and return to work.
Work coverage during their absence is considered and addressed prior to their leave, by taking onboard additional staff support.
In its commitment to building stronger communities, the Company has this policy for a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce.
While the company is improving its operational capacity in a transition period into the production of Sulphide in 2027, it recognises that women are equal participants in the development of its sulphide expansion.
SGCL Laboratory Supervisor Julie Patelo while representing female employees and speaking during the 8th of March International Women’s Day commemoration highlighted the ongoing silent struggles many women face alone and the importance of social groups to foster supportive environments for women to advance the progress on gender equality for women.
Another way of supporting this action to move forward is to have better policies for women in the mining industry and workplaces to boost women’s participation.
Work policies that are considerate of women’s need in the workplace are essential for a thriving and productive workforce.
“I have worked in other places, and they have five months paid maternity leave for females. The four months (18 weeks) paid leave and additional option for female employee to take 12 months unpaid maternity leave is reasonable in case the female encounters childbirth complications as long as her job is still secured it’s a fair go.” stated Julie Petelo
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