21 companies call for paternity leave

Twenty-one local companies and organizations signed a proposal for paid paternity leave last week.

The signatories to the proposal all hail from different sectors, and have either already granted their employees paternity leave or intend to do so.

Kuan Sio Peng, Executive Director of Macau Water, remarked that men and women should enjoy equal rights both at work and at home.   

Kuan said that the ability of husbands to take care of their wives and children when their wives give birth should be recognized by employment law.

Cheang Peng Chan, Vice General Manager of TCM, noted that 90 percent of the company’s 670 employees are men, and that granting these employees paid paternity leave would increase their workplace satisfaction, making them more dedicated employees as well as promoting harmonious home lives.

Abel Kuok, Deputy General Manager of bus company New Era, said his company already grants male workers paternity leave. He agreed that “if the government is able to implement such [a] law, then society will benefit from it as a whole.”

A man who attended the launch ceremony considered “one month” to be the ideal duration for paternity leave as it provides new fathers adequate time to help their wives in a variety of ways.

Ng Wai Han, Acting Director of the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL), said that the bureau is processing legislation regarding paternity leave, and that the bureau will conduct a public consultation in September.