THE cabinet may discuss by year-end a policy to compel the private sector to grant seven days’ paternity leave, said Human Resources Minister M. Kula Segaran.

He said paternity leave had not been a concern in the private sector since the country achieved independence 62 years ago.

“More than three days, this is a consideration. I will be putting forward to the cabinet for the necessary action.

“We are very firm that this is in the right direction; it should be moved and get approved as soon as possible,” he said when met outside Parliament building after the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) had handed over a petition on paternity leave in the private sector.

At the moment, the private sector is not obligated to grant any paternity leave.

He said the ministry had discussed the proposal with stakeholders in the private sector.

“The discussion is just over with stakeholders. We hope maybe by this December we can take the proposal to the cabinet,” he said.

Asked if the private sector had to grant the seven days of paternity leave if the government implemented the proposal, he said: “Yes, compulsory, not an option for them (private sector).”

Also present to express their support during the WAO petition handover were Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh, Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil and Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin.

The WAO petition, begun in June 2019 to call for at least seven days of paternity leave in the private sector, has garnered 39,340 signatures.

The government is in the midst of considering a proposal for three-day paternity leave. – Bernama, November 13, 2019.