22 October 2020
In July 2020, we released an e-alert regarding amendments to statutory maternity leave in Hong Kong. For more details please click here.
On 9 October 2020, the Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 (Commencement) Notice was published in the Government Gazette. In the Notice, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare has appointed 11 December 2020 as the effective day when the amendments will come into operation. The effect of the Notice is that the statutory entitlement of a pregnant female employee to maternity leave will be extended from 10 weeks to 14 weeks if the date on which she gives birth is on 11 December 2020 or thereafter. However, for pregnant employees who give birth before 11 December 2020, their entitlement to maternity leave will remain for a period of 10 weeks.
Similarly, for male employees, who have a child born on or after 11 December 2020 they may elect to take paternity leave up to 14 weeks after the date of delivery.
For further information, please contact:
Jezamine Fewins, Partner, Stephenson Harwood
jezamine.fewins@shlegal.com
