It’s not much, but it’s something.
The brand-new paternity leave that was passed by LegCo on Dec. 18 will come into effect starting with babies born on or after Feb. 27.
Men who are under a continuous contract of at least 40 weeks are entitled to three whole days of paternity leave at four-fifths of their average daily wages.
The leave, which can be taken all at once or a day at a time, can be used from four weeks before the expected delivery date to 10 weeks from the baby’s birth.
Local NGO Community Business said the new paternity leave was a baby step, and that companies should consider extending it to at least five fully paid days, because that is the minimally humane thing to do in the 21st century.
Photo: Joona Sipi via Flickr