Malaysia is reported to be among 20 countries that provide 60 days or less of paid maternity leave. Sweden offers 672 days of paid leave; Denmark, 350 days and Italy, 329 days. Some of Britain’s biggest employers, such as Barclay Bank, Ford and Ernst & Young, offer employees up to five years’ maternity leave to retain skilled female staff.
Other Asian countries offering more maternity leave than Malaysia are Vietnam and Iran (120 days), China, Thailand and Laos (90 days) and Myammar, India and Pakistan (84 days). Singapore recently extended maternity leave to 12 weeks for up to four children.
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I think they should provide at least 14 days paternal leave for the fathers. Nowadays, it is common for babies to have jaundice needing phototherapy. The father got to do lots of travelling up and down to the hospital. (From my experience) Good for the father / husband to be at home for a longer period of time too – to give support to the baby and mother. Post-natal depression is very real.
Heard that a friend’s relative committed suicide due to severe post-natal depression after giving birth. If I ever have any children, will probably adopt one from The Salvation Army.
Sorry to hear what happened to your friend’s relative.
Sadly, the reality of post-natal depression is not publicised enough. The public may not be aware of how post-natal depression can “kill”.
Ditto to that. Perhaps if the information is publicised, more women would be discouraged from giving birth and prefer to remain childless.
Er…I wasn’t thinking that way though.
Dave…
Interesting topic… I’m working in this industry myself and I don’t agree about this in 100%, but I added your page to my bookmarks and hope to see more interesting articles in the future…