Paternity leave is a period of time during which a new father can take time off work to bond with their newborn child and participate in their care. Paternity leave can be paid or unpaid, and the length of leave can vary depending on the country or company.
The purpose of paternity leave is to give new fathers the opportunity to spend time with their newborn child and provide support to the mother of the child, who is usually recovering from childbirth at the initial stages. Paternity leave can also help promote gender equality in the workplace and at home, by encouraging men to take on a more active role in parenting and domestic responsibilities.
Paternity leave around the world and it's reality in Bangladesh
Paternity leave policies vary widely around the world. Some countries have generous policies that provide several months of paid leave for new fathers, while others have no legal provisions for paternity leave at all.
In many European countries, such as Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland, fathers are entitled to several months of paid paternity leave. In some countries, such as Sweden, a portion of the leave is reserved exclusively for fathers, and if it's not used, it's lost. This is to encourage fathers to take leave and participate in the care of their children.
In the United Kingdom, new fathers are entitled to two weeks of paid paternity leave. In Canada, new fathers are entitled to a maximum of 35 weeks of parental leave, which can be taken by either parent. In Australia, new fathers are entitled to two weeks of paid paternity leave. In the United States, there is no federal law mandating paid paternity leave, but some states and companies do offer it.
In Bangladesh, however, there is no statutory paternity leave policy for the private sector, which is where the majority of the workforce is employed. The government has not yet introduced any national policy on paternity leave, unfortunately. Some companies do offer paternity leave, but it is typically only for a few days and is not legally mandated.
This means that, in Bangladesh, new fathers do not have any legal right to take time off of work to bond with their newborn child, and have to rely on their employer's policies or sense of generosiy, if any, or their own annual leaves. This can be a challenge for new fathers who want to take an active role in the care of their child and also for the companies as they might lose skilled workforce.
Maternity Leave in our labour laws
In Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006, provides for maternity leave for women workers in the private sector. According to the act, a woman worker is entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave with full pay. The leave must be taken before or within six weeks after the date of delivery. The worker must provide a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner to prove the pregnancy and expected date of delivery.
In addition, the Bangladesh Maternity Protection Act 2000 also provides for maternity leave for female workers in both the public sector and the private sector. According to the act, a woman worker is entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave with full pay. The leave must be taken before or within six weeks after the date of delivery. The worker must provide a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner to prove the pregnancy and expected date of delivery.
It's worth noting that the Bangladesh Maternity Protection Act, 2000, also provides for breastfeeding breaks, which allow mothers to take some time during the workday to breastfeed their child. Employers are required to provide breastfeeding breaks of one hour per day for the first six months after the child's birth.
In addition, the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 also has provisions for the protection of pregnant workers, which include prohibition of dismissal, restriction on night work, and provision for pre-natal and post-natal care.
It is important to mention that Bangladesh still has a long way to go in terms of implementing these laws and making it a reality for the female workers. Many women still face discrimination in the workplace and are not able to take advantage of the maternity leave and other benefits that are provided for by law.
Paternity leave has a number of advantages for new fathers, families, and society as a whole. Some of the main advantages include:
• Bonding with the child: Paternity leave allows new fathers to bond with their newborn children and participate in their care during the critical early months of their lives. This can have a positive impact on the emotional well-being of both the father and the child, and can also help to establish a stronger relationship between the two
• Support for the mother: Paternity leave allows the mother of the child to recover from childbirth and to establish breastfeeding without the added stress of having to care for the child alone
• Gender equality: Paternity leave can help to promote gender equality in the workplace and at home, by encouraging men to take on a more active role in parenting and domestic responsibilities
• Employee retention: Paternity leave can help retain skilled employees, as new fathers may need to leave the job to take care of their newborn children
• Work-life balance: Paternity leave can help promote a better work-life balance, which in turn can lead to a more productive and motivated workforce
• Social and economic benefits: Paternity leave can have positive social and economic benefits, by promoting gender equality, stronger families, and a more productive workforce
• Legal compliance: In many countries, providing paternity leave can help the company to comply with international labour laws and standards
• Positive impact on the child's development: Paternity leave can have a positive impact on child development as fathers who take paternity leave tend to have a more active role in child care which leads to better emotional and behavioural development of the child.
Despite these proven benefits, Bangladesh has limited provisions for paternity leave. The government has not yet introduced any statutory paternity leave policy for the private sector, which is where the majority of the workforce is employed. Many companies do not offer paternity leave and those that do, offer only a few days of leave. Therefore, it's important for the government and employers to recognize the importance of paternity leave and implement policies that support new fathers in the workplace.
Tanvir Alam Sagor is Assistant Manager, City Bank Ltd.
