Hong Kong plans family care leave for civil servants
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago5 MIN
Summary
The Civil Service Bureau said on September 23 that it is drafting guidelines for a new “family care leave” arrangement for government employees, with a preliminary proposal of 10 to 12 hours per employee. Officials said the leave is intended for short, urgent family matters, such as picking up children after sudden school suspension or caring for elderly family members, and that a final decision has not yet been made.
Key Points
- The proposal was disclosed at a September 23 meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Public Service and Subsidised Sector Staff, where the bureau said implementation is planned for next year.
- Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service Chan Yuen-tak (陳元德) said detailed criteria are being designed, and departments will later receive guidelines with example scenarios for reference.
- Officials said the leave is meant for brief absences in specific situations, including accompanying family members to medical appointments, attending children’s school activities, school suspensions, or caring for elderly relatives.
- Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan (楊何蓓茵) said immediate documentary proof may not always be available in emergencies, and leave could be approved if a department head is satisfied, with proof submitted later if needed.
- Lawmaker Lam Chun-sing suggested a simpler application process, such as school notices or medical slips, and proposed considering 24 hours a year by referencing three days of childcare leave.
Why It Matters
The proposed arrangement would give civil servants a more flexible option for handling short family emergencies without using larger blocks of existing leave, but the final scope will depend on the bureau’s guidelines and approval rules. Debate at the panel also showed lawmakers are watching both ease of access and the risk of abuse as the policy is finalized.