(1)A female employee shall, as a consequence of pregnancy, have the right to a period of sixty working days leave from work on full wages hereafter referred to as "maternity leave", of which at least four weeks shall follow the childbirth or miscarriage.

(2)A female employee who becomes pregnant shall have the right to return to the job which she held immediately before her maternity leave or to a reasonably suitable alternative job on terms and conditions not less favourable than those which would have applied had she not been absent on maternity leave.

(3)In the event of sickness arising out of pregnancy or confinement, affecting either the mother or the baby, and making the mother's return to work inadvisable, the right to return mentioned in subsection (2) shall be available within eight weeks after the date of childbirth or miscarriage.

(4)A female employee is entitled to the rights mentioned in subsections (1), (2) and (3) if she gives not less than seven days' notice in advance or a shorter period as may be reasonable in the circumstances, of her intention to return to work.

(5)The notices referred to in subsection (4) shall be in writing if the employer so requests.

(6)A female employee who seeks to exercise any of the rights mentioned in this section shall, if requested by the employer, produce a certificate as to her medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner or midwife.