How long do new dads need to bond with their babies and tend to their exhausted other halves after birth? Absolutely no longer than three days, according to the Hong Kong government.
The Legislative Council yesterday voted to allow men in private companies a generous three days paternity leave on 80 percent pay, after the original Pan-Democratic proposal of seven days at full pay was reportedly bullied out of play by the Secretary of Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung.
The lawmakers also failed to insert a provision into the bill that would ensure male workers can’t be sacked for taking up the leave – so bond with your baby at your own risk, fellas.
According to RTHK, there are accusations that Cheung threatened to withdraw the bill altogether if such provisions were included.
Cheung has, however, denied this, calling the new law – which is expected to come into force in March – a milestone, and promising to review possible improvements after a year.
For some perspective, men working in the civil sector have enjoyed five days paternity leave on full pay since 2012, while women are entitled to 10 weeks at 80 percent pay across the board.
It is estimated that the new three-day allowance will account for just 0.02 percent of Hong Kong’s total private employment costs.
Chief Executive CY Leung admitted that many may see the three-day leave as a total joke (not his exact words), but that it is a “sufficient” first step.
We’ve got a feeling he doesn’t place an awful lot of value on spending time with his kids, though.
Photo: Pixabay
