One other thing to consider is how long your helper has been working for you. She is only entitled to PAID maternity leave IF she, and I quote a government document:
"-has been employed for not less than 40 weeks immediately before the commencement of scheduled maternity leave;
-she has given notice of pregnancy confirmed by a medical certificate to her employer; and
-she has produced a medical certificate specifying the expected date of confinement if so required by the employer."
So, if she has not yet been working for you for 10 months or more before the confinement date (stated on the medical certificate she submits to you) then you actually are not required to pay her maternity leave. Of course she will take maternity leave but it will be unpaid. In my case, last year I gave birth and had to take unpaid maternity leave as I had not been at my employer for 10 months before I gave birth. Of course, if she's worked for you for more than 10 months then this doesn't apply.
Also, "The daily rate of maternity leave pay is equal to four-fifths of the average daily wages of the helper. It should be paid on the normal pay day of the helper."
"-has been employed for not less than 40 weeks immediately before the commencement of scheduled maternity leave;
-she has given notice of pregnancy confirmed by a medical certificate to her employer; and
-she has produced a medical certificate specifying the expected date of confinement if so required by the employer."
So, if she has not yet been working for you for 10 months or more before the confinement date (stated on the medical certificate she submits to you) then you actually are not required to pay her maternity leave. Of course she will take maternity leave but it will be unpaid. In my case, last year I gave birth and had to take unpaid maternity leave as I had not been at my employer for 10 months before I gave birth. Of course, if she's worked for you for more than 10 months then this doesn't apply.
Also, "The daily rate of maternity leave pay is equal to four-fifths of the average daily wages of the helper. It should be paid on the normal pay day of the helper."