Multiple entities announce maternity leave extension

Several local community organizations and integrated resort (IR) operators have announced an extension of maternity leave for their employees from 70 days to 90 days, a move seen as a response to the proposed amendments to the Labor Relations Law.

The government is conducting a public consultation on amending the Labor Relations Law until March 16.

Proposed changes include extending maternity leave from 70 days to 90 days, introducing a seniority-based increment mechanism, and increasing annual leave from a maximum of six days to 12 days.

Following the second public consultation session held on Friday, lawmakers representing both the business and labor sectors – who often hold differing views – reached a consensus on extending employees’ maternity and annual leave entitlements.

On the sidelines of the Legislative Assembly’s spring luncheon Thursday, lawmakers Ella Lei and Kevin Ho respectively stressed that “during childbirth, women need adequate rest and family care, which also ensures children receive sufficient attention,” and that “employers strongly support or cooperate with the Special Administrative Region (SAR) government’s policy.”

They both expressed hope that the government would continue providing subsidies for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) related to maternity leave to help alleviate cost pressures resulting from the extension.

Following Sands China Limited’s announcement on Thursday to extend paid maternity leave from 70 days to 90 days and paid paternity leave from five days to seven days starting March 1, other integrated resort operators – including Wynn Macau Limited, MGM China Holdings Limited, and Galaxy Entertainment Group – have followed suit.

Eligible female employees in Macau with at least one year of service will now receive 90 days of paid maternity leave, while male employees will be granted seven days of paid paternity leave.

In their respective statements, Wynn said the move “reflects a strong commitment to employee well-being and family-friendly policies, actively aligns with the government’s advocacy for family-friendly initiatives, further enhances employee care systems, and supports Macau’s sustainable social development.”

Galaxy described the initiative as a way “to support team members in securing ample time to rest and spend with family during the significant period of welcoming a newborn.” MGM China stated that “enhancing paid maternity and paternity leave represents concrete action in response to and support for the government’s pro-birth policies, helping Macau build a family-friendly environment while demonstrating MGM’s commitment to employee well-being.” Meanwhile, Melco emphasized its aim “to further optimize family-friendly policies, ensuring employees receive appropriate support during important life milestones.”

Concurrently on Saturday, two community organizations – the Macau Federation of Trade Unions and the Women’s General Association of Macau – announced adjustments to their full-time staff leave benefits under the banner of “setting an exemplary lead.”

Maternity leave has been extended to 90 days, while paid paternity leave for male employees has increased to seven days. Additionally, the federation of trade unions revealed an increase in annual leave from 12 days to 13 days.