E/C.12/GC/19 page 6 forms of work in the informal economy.12 Benefits should be provided to cover periods of loss of earnings by persons who are requested not to report for work during a public health or other emergency. (e) Employment injury 17. States parties should also ensure the protection of workers who are injured in the course of employment or other productive work. The social security system should cover the costs and loss of earnings from the injury or morbid condition and the loss of support for spouses or dependents suffered as the result of the death of a breadwinner.13 Adequate benefits should be provided in the form of access to health care and cash benefits to ensure income security. Entitlement to benefits should not be made subject to the length of employment, to the duration of insurance or to the payment of contributions. (f) Family and child support 18. Benefits for families are crucial for realizing the rights of children and adult dependents to protection under articles 9 and 10 of the Covenant. In providing the benefits, the State party should take into account the resources and circumstances of the child and persons having responsibility for the maintenance of the child or adult dependent, as well as any other consideration relevant to an application for benefits made by or on behalf of the child or adult dependent.14 Family and child benefits, including cash benefits and social services, should be provided to families, without discrimination on prohibited grounds, and would ordinarily cover food, clothing, housing, water and sanitation, or other rights as appropriate. (g) Maternity 19. Article 10 of the Covenant expressly provides that “working mothers should be accorded paid leave or leave with adequate social security benefits”.15 Paid maternity leave should be granted to all women, including those involved in atypical work, and benefits should be provided for an adequate period.16 Appropriate medical benefits should be provided for women and children, including perinatal, childbirth and postnatal care and care in hospital where necessary. 12 As defined in paras. 29-39 below. 13 See ILO Convention No. 121 (1964) on Employment Injury Benefits. 14 See Convention on the Rights of the Child, article 26. 15 The Committee notes that ILO Convention No. 183 (2000) on Maternity Protection provides that maternity leave should be for a period of not less than 14 weeks, including a period of six weeks' compulsory leave after childbirth. 16 See CEDAW, article.11, para. 2 (b).