Statutory maternity leave extended to 14 weeks

An amendment to the Employment Ordinance will take effect next Friday, increasing the statutory maternity leave by four weeks to 14 weeks, according to the Labour Department.

The current statutory rate of maternity leave pay will be maintained at four-fifths of the employee's average daily wages, subject to a cap of HK$80,000 per employee.

Employers may apply for government reimbursement of the additional four weeks' maternity leave pay that is required to be paid and has been paid under the Amendment Ordinance.

The Amendment Ordinance also updated the definition of "miscarriage" under the Ordinance from "before 28 weeks of pregnancy" to "before 24 weeks of pregnancy", medical examination in relation to pregnancy will also be accepted for any sickness allowance.