Civil servants to get three days of childcare leave

The government says it plans to offer three days of childcare leave a year to civil servants with children under three, a move expected to benefit some 12,000 employees. The administration on Monday said the family-friendly policy is expected to start in April. At a Legco public service panel meeting, several unionist lawmakers asked why officials have decided on three days and then only for parents of children under three. They asked whether more days off could be offered and whether the leave could be extended to parents of older children. Federation of Trade Unions lawmaker Kwok Wai-keung said Singapore offers six days of childcare leave. Civil service chief Ingrid Yeung said officials are already striking a balance between several factors, adding that the scheme will be reviewed after implementation. "We roll out government-friendly measures for government workers, but then there's also a need for manpower, and operational needs for departments. We have to be prudent with this new measure," she said. "At that preschool age below three, children usually stay at home. They need more care at home. That's why we set the threshold at three years old." Finance sector lawmaker Ronick Chan and former minister Lai Tung-kwok of the New People's Party asked whether civil servants could be given a day off for their birthday, with Lai saying this would provide a morale boost to those who don't have children. Yeung said officials will consider the suggestion, but providing leave does come with a financial burden for the government.

Civil servants to get three days of childcare leave

Civil servants to get three days of childcare leave

Civil servants to get three days of childcare leave

Civil servants to get three days of childcare leave

Civil servants to get three days of childcare leave