Longer maternity leave should be the norm in Hong Kong, but don’t use public funds to offset employer costs

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The Hong Kong government is considering extending statutory maternity leave to 14 weeks, in line with the International Labour Organisation standard. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Published: 7:33pm, 12 Sep 2018Updated: 7:32pm, 12 Sep 2018

I am writing in response to the article, “Pay Hong Kong bosses the cost of extra maternity leave, former government adviser urges” (September 9).

I welcome the proposal for more paid maternity leave, as it provides financial support and job security for employees taking care of their newborns. But I am sceptical about the idea that the government should pay the cost to employers.

Government funds actually come from taxpayers. This case is not like that of health care, say, where the funds and resources expended on the system directly benefit all citizens.

Hong Kong is now very concerned about its ageing society, so increasing the birth rate and nurturing more labour and talent are matters of urgency. Although the rationale in asking the government to offset maternity leave pay, as a step towards alleviating Hong Kong’s ageing problem, may be sound, ultimately the benefit to society as a whole is not that great. It would be probably a bit unfair to use government funds in this way.

Weighing up maternity leave: Hong Kong lags behind international standards

The special care infant ward at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in January 2007. Hong Kong is facing a low birth rate and an ageing society. Photo: EPA