KUCHING: The proposal for a three-day paternity leave in the private sector is generally agreeable to city folk.
However, Sarawak Manufacturers’ Association (SMA) president Joseph Lau said the duration of the paternity leave may have to be situational depending on company size.
“It is always a balancing act between the employer and employee. In larger companies with a larger workforce, if employees take paternity leave, someone else can relieve their work for that time. They could even take a week off with no issues to their work,” he explained during an exclusive interview with a New Sarawak Tribune reporter.
He said this may not be possible for smaller companies, remarking, “If the father plays a specialised role and cannot be replaced while he’s away on paternity leave, then the whole company would come to a standstill.”
According to Lau, the employer and employee would then have to work out a solution that benefits both sides.
“I fully support this proposal as a father’s support is important in a family. Two to three days leave is reasonable,” he opined.
Desmond Liew, owner and managing director of Le Parlour Cafe Studio, said that fathers deserve the opportunity to spend time with his wife and new baby to enable interaction from the start.
“People tend to think that women are the emotional ones, but men have feelings, too,” he said.
“Babies may need their mothers more at the newborn stage, but mothers need their husbands’ help in caring for their new member,” Liew added.
From a business owner’s perspective, he said allowing employees to take paternity leave would boost their emotional state and productivity at work.
“If the employer shows compassion by letting them take leave, the employee would really appreciate it. It keeps them motivated!” Liew said.
Another interviewee, senior lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Mara (Sarawak campus) Dr Ang Chung Huap said that the proposal is an important step to improve the welfare of employees and promote family values and parent-child bonding.
“A father shouldn’t miss out on one of the most exciting moments in his life,” he commented.
Dr Ang said the leave period should even be a full month to allow the father to share the responsibilities of childcare.
Most employees tended to have the same opinion that the paternity leave period should be longer.
“More days off would be ideal. If the baby or the mother has to stay back and do more tests, the father’s presence would be of great help,” said Halim, a father of one.
“Three days or five days – what is the difference? Parents should be entitled to an even longer leave period. Paternity leave is just as important as maternity leave,” said an interviewee who wished to be known as Saree.
Another interviewee only known as Lisa, said, “Getting a week off would be a good start. I think fathers are often segregated from the whole process, but actually their physical and emotional support is crucial to ease the transition, especially for first-time parents.”
