CEDAW/C/PHI/5-6 Countries,” a study on gender discrimination in the workplace was conducted in the Philippines from 2001 to 2002. The study stressed the need to address educational practices that track women to a limited band of career and livelihood options, and the gaps between legislation and policies, on the one hand, and enforcement of these policies, on the other (Illo 2002b). d. In partnership with New Zealand, the Philippines (primarily the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women and the Women and Gender Institute of Miriam College) prepared a paper on the impact of trade liberalization policies on women (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation [APEC] 2002), which was presented at the Second APEC Ministerial Meeting on Women held in September 2002 in Guadalajara, Mexico. Workers’ benefits and social protection 373. Private-sector women workers, whether married or unmarried, are granted maternity benefits of 60 days leave in case of normal delivery and 78 days of maternity leave in case of caesarian section. Women’s groups claim that some companies violate the law on maternity benefits, but these claims remain uninvestigated as women refuse to come out in the open for fear of jeopardizing their jobs. 374. Republic Act (RA) 8291 amends the GSIS (Government Service Insurance System) Act and expands the coverage of all workers, women and men, as well as the widows of civil servants. Meanwhile, the revised Social Security Act (RA 8282) institutionalizes the expansion of Social Security System (SSS) coverage for self-employed persons, housewives and househelpers. While implementation of RA 8282 remains low, leaving many women still without any social security, the two laws promise the following: life insurance; health insurance, which pays a fixed portion of the cost of various types of hospital expense of all female and male GSIS and SSS members and their qualified dependents; and housing. With a minimal contribution, female and male employees are entitled to housing loans, as well as short-term loans, livelihood loans or provident/savings benefits. 375. Other terms and conditions of work are negotiated through employee associations (for government employees) or unions (for private workers), and through their collective bargaining agreements (CBA). For example, government employees may negotiate, through their employees’ association, such concerns as work assignment of pregnant women, scheduling of vacation leaves, shuttle service, more comprehensive medical insurance and even recreational, social or cultural activities. For unionized women workers in the private sector, their CBA have included maternity-related provisions, such as pregnant women being given flexible schedules, non-assignment to night shift, maternity loan, relief of heavy work load, exemption from wearing company uniform or provision of appropriate uniform during pregnancy and granting of SSS maternity benefits in advance. Free pap smear is also provided for all women members as part of their CBA. Support services 376. In 1990, Congress passed RA 6972, or the Barangay-Level Total Development and Protection of Children Act, which mandated the establishment of a day care center in every village. The 103