KUCHING: Regardless of whether paternity leave would benefit employees or employers or both, the duration should be based on necessity and merit, said Santubong MP Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
He suggested that the government should study the practice of paternity leave by considering the pros and cons before implementing it.
“The government needs to study it properly and understand the advantages and disadvantages,” he told the New Sarawak Tribune when contacted yesterday.
While believing that the effort would lead to greater productivity, he thought that there is a need to set examples to ensure that paternity leave could be practised successfully.
“The government must set the rules that can be enforced by all parties. By setting up examples and guidelines, it would fortify both employees and employers to reach a win-win situation,” he explained.
According to Wan Junaidi, a day’s wage to an employee on leave is cost to the private sector, imagine the cost companies would have to bear when employees go on leave over long period.
He said such entitlement must be fully understood by workers.
He said employees must understand the circumstances of giving paternity leave in regards to the number of living children that an employee has while in service.
“For example, if an employee’s wife has been active giving birth every year, do you think this is fair for the employer to give paternity leave every year?” he asked.
He further mentioned that to ensure a win-win situation, both employer and employee, along with government policy, must be based on mutual understanding.
“The challenge is now the need to ensure that implementing paternity leave will enhance productivity among workers,” he said.
