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Story summary
- The United States lacks a federal paid maternity leave mandate, unlike most high-income countries.
- Under the Family and Medical Leave Act, eligible workers may take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave, but pay is not guaranteed.
- Estonia and Bulgaria provide paid maternity leave, with Estonia offering over a year of leave.
- Despite evidence that paid leave improves maternal and infant health and raises women's workforce participation, Congress has stalled.
