One-month Paid Paternity Leave Granted for Male Civil Servants in Indonesia

March 16, 20189:38 am1324 views

As part of Indonesian government’s efforts to promote gender equality, male civil servants in the country are now permitted to submit up to one month paternity leave to support their wives during labor and childbirth.

The policy details of the paternity leave were stated in a regulation issued by the National Civil Service Agency (Badan Kepegawaian Negara or BKN) on different types of leave given for civil servants, including the leave for important reason.

On the announcement released by the official State Secretary website on Monday (Mar 12), the 2017 regulation specifies that male servants whose wives are in the process of labor, either normal or by operation, can be granted paternity leave by enclosing a statement letter from the healthcare service. As stated in the regulation, the paid paternity leave is granted for a maximum of one month, Antara News reports.

Regarding to the regulation, BKN spokesman Mohammad Ridwan said that the paternity leave was enforced as part the government’s efforts in promoting gender mainstreaming. This policy is expected to give equal chances for both male and female civil servants to take part in the family’s caretaking obligations.

See: 80 Percent Women Willing to Switch Jobs for Companies that Offer Better Gender Equality

He added that in the 2017 regulation, the paternity leave is count into leave for important reason and thus will not cut the annual leave. Additionally, male civil servants will also receive their monthly salary while taking the leave. Among the salary income include basic salary, family allowance, food allowance, and other allowance stipulated by the government.

Mr Ridwan acknowledged that there had not been any regulations on paternity leave in Indonesia. Even if private companies provided such leave, the period of the leave will be varied. He added that the 2003 Manpower Law only permitted male workers in Indonesia to take two days leave to accompany their wives during childbirth.

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