Section 13 of the Principal Act is amended by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (2):

"(2) Notwithstanding section 10(1), but subject to regulations under section 11, the minimum period of maternity leave for an employee referred to in subsection (1) shall be a period of not less than

(a) 18 consecutive weeks, or

(b) 18 weeks part of which is postponed in accordance with section 14B,

as may be appropriate, commencing on whichever of the following is the earlier

(i) the first day of maternity leave taken in accordance with section 10, or

(ii) the date of confinement.".