As a global city, Hong Kong must do more to support its working parents
Su-Mei Thompson says we need better policies, and an attitude change that prioritises family
Working parents who are exhausted from trying to "have it all" should take heart. Hong Kong's statutory maternity leave has been strongly criticised by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women for lagging behind international best practice, while statutory paternity leave comes into effect in March.
However, while legal rights to parental leave are important - changing the mindset of employers and employees - particularly those working at small and medium-sized enterprises - to view parental leave positively is an arguably more important yet difficult achievement.
Hong Kong has a ferocious work ethic and it is generally assumed that, thanks to extensive support available in the form of domestic helpers and extended family members, working parents can, for the most part, delegate much of their childcare responsibilities and focus totally on their job. These factors have shaped our statutory and organisational policies.
Working mothers are expected to return to work after 10 weeks, despite the fact that the International Labour Organisation recommends a minimum of 14 weeks of maternity leave, based on considerations of maternal health and infant well-being. From March, new fathers will be entitled to (just) three days of paternity leave.
Pregnancy discrimination cases comprise one of the two main categories of employment-related complaints lodged with the Equal Opportunities Commission, under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (the other being sexual harassment). Women are fired after becoming pregnant or after having a baby because of perceptions that their commitment to work has declined, and/or because employers baulk at the prospect of providing maternity pay.
Cultural attitudes that see workers as ideally being available 24/7 must be changed. Additionally, working parents who desire more meaningful involvement in their children's lives should be applauded, not shamed.
Meanwhile, there is tremendous scope, and an urgent need, for the government and the private sector to work together to reduce the financial burden on employers, especially SMEs, of supporting maternity and paternity leave. This is significant because women make up a large share of SME employees, especially in the services sector.
