Fathers want at least two weeks of paternity leave

PETALING JAYA: Male workers in the private sector are appealing for two weeks’ paternity leave to shoulder what they say are added responsibilities of raising a family.

In March, the Dewan Rakyat approved amendments to the Employment Act, guaranteeing employed fathers at least seven days of paternity leave per child for up to five children, regardless of the number of wives.

The Employment (Amendment) Bill 2021 tabled in the Dewan Rakyat in October last year would also see an increase in maternity leave from 60 to 98 days.

Zulfikri Zulkifly, 30, said seven days’ paternity leave is not adequate, especially with so much talk about the “Malaysian Family”.

The designer, who welcomed his first child in 2021, said fathers should stay in and take care of their wives and newborns.

“Not to forget, for those who also have a toddler around, it is all the more reason for husbands to tend to their families.

“I had to take leave when my wife was delivering and fortunately, my company was very understanding and there were no difficulties because for us, family comes first,” he added.

Zulfikri had to apply for seven days’ annual leave when his wife was hospitalised following the birth of their second child.

Mohd Nazmi Mohd Zuki, who became a father in the middle of last year, said that he was lucky that his mother-in-law was around to help, adding that the proposed seven days of paternity leave is too short.

He said he had to apply for two weeks’ leave to be with his wife and newborn.

“Wives need to go through confinement to recover.

“They would have gone through so much that some are emo- tionally disturbed, so the father needs to help out,” said the gym manager.

Muhammad Ehsan Md Kamil, 26, who welcomed his first child on April 1, also said the seven-day paternity leave is “simply not enough”.

The testing engineer, who had to take nine days’ annual leave, said two weeks would be the appropriate number.

“In my line of work, I am always away from my family so (having) just seven days to tend to and take care of my newborn and wife who is postpartum is not good enough,” he added.

The previous Malaysian Employment Act 1955 did not provide for mandatory paid paternity leave for private sector workers.

The government proposed an amendment to the Act allowing three days’ paid paternity leave.

The period was increased to seven days during the Second Reading.

Amendments to the Act were approved in the Dewan Rakyat on March 21.