The Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 (the “Amendment”) came into operation 11 December 2020.
Statutory Maternity Leave
The period of statutory maternity leave is increased to a continuous period of 14 weeks (from 10 weeks) for female employees whose date of confinement is on or after 11 December 2020 (the “Amendment Date”). As a result, even if an employee had given notice of her pregnancy prior to the Amendment Date, but her actual confinement (i.e., date of delivery of the child) occurs on or after the Amendment Date, her entitlement to statutory maternity leave is increased to 14 weeks.
Maternity Leave Pay
The additional four weeks’ maternity leave pay (“MLP”) is calculated at the rate of four-fifths of the employee’s daily average wages even in respect of the additional 4-week period capped at HK$80,000 per employee. Once the employer pays the MLP for the 14 weeks, the employer may apply for reimbursement from the Government under the Reimbursement of the Maternity Leave Pay Scheme (the “RMLP Scheme”) in respect of the MLP for the 11th to 14th weeks (i.e., the additional 4-week period). To apply under the RMLP Scheme, employers are expected to maintain records in accordance with the Employment Ordinance, including:
a) Employers’ payment records such as salary slips, bank transaction records for the payment of 14 weeks’ statutory MLP.
b) The pregnant employee’s wage records of the 12 months preceding the commencement of maternity leave as this is relevant for calculating the daily average wage; and
c) Proof of pregnancy provided by concerned employees to the employers (such as medical certificates specifying the expected dates of confinement, medical certificates, or certificates of attendance for medical examinations in relation to pregnancy).
The Labour Department is working towards implementing an online portal for submitting an application under the RMLP Scheme. Complete details of the implementation of the RMLP Scheme are expected in the first half of 2021.
Statutory Paternity Leave
The period in which a male employee can take paternity leave has increased from a 10-week period to a 14-week period. Accordingly, statutory paternity leave (of five days) can be taken anytime during the period beginning four weeks before the expected delivery date and ending 14 weeks from the actual date of delivery if the child is born on or after the Amendment Date.
Key Takeaways
Employers should consider reviewing their employment contracts and employment policies to ensure that any relevant provisions do not contravene the statutory requirements. HR teams should keep abreast of the changes and the applicability of the Amendment. HR and accounts teams must maintain records for applications for reimbursement of MLP for the additional period of maternity leave under the RMLP Scheme.
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
