Gender Employment Gap: The Effects of Extended Maternity Leave Policy on Vietnam
研究越南2012年将产假从4个月延长至6个月对性别就业差距的影响，发现新法未加剧整体差距，但产后女性收入比男性多下降12.1%，且行业效应存在异质性。
This article seeks to determine the effect of the extension of maternity leave from four months to six months (Labor Law 2012) on the gender employment gap in Vietnam. To identify this effect, labor market outcomes of groups of women and men are compared. The study uses the national representative Vietnam Household Living Standards Survey 2008–18, with the difference-in-difference approach. The findings show that, on average, the new law did not exacerbate the gender employment gap. However, women with infants have incomes that continue to drop 12.1 percent more than those of men compared to before the new law. The industry-specific results show heterogeneity in the effects on the gender employment gap. In industries with pre-existing gender gaps, the gap may widen further, favoring men. Conversely, industries without initial gaps may see a widening gap favoring women of childbearing age.HIGHLIGHTS With extended maternity leave, post-birth mothers in Vietnam earn 12.1 percent less than men.Gender income gap for other groups of women remains unaffected.No increase in gender employment gap is found among mothers in waged jobs.Formal jobs improve for women of childbearing age without infants.Effects differ by industry: gender gaps widen differently across sectors.