Three-day childcare leave responds to govt's encouragement of childbirth: Ingrid Yeung

The new policy address proposes providing three days of childcare leave for civil servants with children under three years old.

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Ingrid Yeung, stated today (Oct. 24) during a radio program that this measure is a new initiative to allow relevant employees to better care for their young children.

"It also responds to the government's encouragement of childbirth, hoping that society can provide more parenting support," she added.

Yeung mentioned that offering three days of childcare leave balances the needs of work, government departments' operational requirements, and government employees' needs as parents. She believes that employees will be able to fill in their work responsibilities easily after taking leave, and it will not pose significant difficulties for operations.

"The authorities will review the effectiveness of the measure after its implementation."

As of the end of June this year, there was about a 10% vacancy rate among civil servants.

Yeung noted that the past few years have seen a peak in retirements, and there are now more choices for graduating youth, which means employers need to work harder to attract talent. She mentioned that various measures are being taken, but "it will take time" to see results, including allowing third-year university students to apply for civil service positions.

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