Business firms urged to grant three days’ paternity leave

Deputy minister Hannah Yeoh says women need the support of their husbands when giving birth.

IPOH: Bosses of business firms have been urged to take up a proposal to grant three days’ paternity leave for husbands whose wives have given birth.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh said the paternity leave proposed by the human resources ministry should be implemented as men need to play a role in easing the burden of mothers who have just given birth.

“When wives give birth, especially those who undergo Caesarean section, they need the help and care of their husbands. It will put pressure on women if they need to do a lot of things on their own.

“If they have other children to be taken care of, of course the mother will not able to handle matters alone.

“Thus, employers need to consider the matter because it is important for wives who have just given birth to have the support of their husbands,” she said.

Last week, the human resources ministry proposed to introduce paternity leave by making amendments to the Employment Act 1955.

Deputy Human Resources Minister Mahfuz Omar said the draft amendment was being completed and would be submitted to the Cabinet before being tabled in Parliament.

However, the Malaysian Employers Federation does not agree with the government’s proposal on the grounds that it will increase the operating costs of companies.

At present, fathers in the private sector are not legally qualified for paternity leave while fathers in the public sector enjoy seven days’ of paid paternity leave. - FMT