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The Government announced today (March 28) that starting from April 1, 2012, eligible government employees will enjoy five working days of paternity leave on full pay on each occasion of childbirth.
Eligible officers whose children's expected due date or actual date of birth fall on or after April 1 this year can benefit from this new family-friendly measure.
"All full-time government employees, including civil servants, non-civil service contract staff and political appointees, who have no less than 40 weeks' continuous service immediately before the expected or actual date of childbirth will be eligible for paternity leave," a Government spokesman said.
"It is roughly estimated that about 3,000 eligible government employees and their families may benefit from this new measure each year," he said.
"In drawing up the arrangements for paternity leave for government employees, the Government has struck a balance between the benefits of paternity leave and prudent use of public funds.
"It is hoped that more employers will be encouraged to adopt family-friendly employment practices with regard to their own circumstances," he added.
Ends/Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:40
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