Abstract
Contrary to the expectation that only ratifying states comply with International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, this article argues that even non-ratifying states improve their domestic standards consistent with ILO conventions to legitimize themselves. Using a new historical database, I track the changes of maternity leave provisions in 160 states from 1883 until 2018 in light of the International Labour Conference (ILC) passage of the Maternity Protection Conventions. The empirical findings confirm that non-ratifying as well as ratifying states extend their legal conditions of paid maternity leave policies shortly after they have access to the ILO maternity protection standards.