12,000 civil servants expected to benefit from new childcare leave

Ayra Wang

Some 12,000 civil servants are expected to benefit from the new three days of childcare leave per year, Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan said.

Yeung told lawmakers yesterday that the initiative aims to enhance staff welfare while ensuring the operational needs of government departments are met.

Starting in April next year, civil servants with children aged below three years old will be eligible for this leave.

"We need to provide supportive measures for employees while also fulfilling the manpower needs of our departments," Yeung said.

The decision to focus on children under three stems from the understanding that these young children are not yet in school and require additional care at home.

Yeung also said the government plans to review the policy in the future, including how to apply for the leave, given the limited precedents in the private sector.

Legislators have expressed strong support for the initiative, with many providing suggestions to enhance it.

Lawmaker Lam Chun-sing proposed extending the eligibility to parents of older children, such as those under five.

Lawmaker Kwok Wai-keung urged for an increase in leave days, citing Singapore's provision of six days.

Lawmaker Ronick Chan Chun-ying advocated for the introduction of a birthday leave, saying that the childcare leave primarily benefits those with young children, while lawmaker Lai Tung-kwok said a birthday leave would "boost morale" among civil servants.

Also, lawmaker Frankie Ngan Man-yu proposed flexible working hours for parents of children under three, allowing them to leave early for school pickups or medical appointments.

And starting in January next year, the government will permit staff to leave work early on up to three of five designated festivals or their eves.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com