Chief Executive (CE) Fernando Chui Sai On continued his campaign trail Monday by attending a meeting with representatives from four commercial associations in the morning and the Women’s General Association (Fu Luen) in the afternoon. In his meeting with representatives of the Women’s General Association, Chui expressed his support for paid paternity leave.
Chui, the sole candidate standing in the chief executive election on August 31, said that paternity leave would benefit families. However, he stressed that the details, such as its length and methods of implementation, would need more discussion.
“This involves amending the Labour Relations Law and I believe that the discussion will begin in the next year or two, where [lawmakers] would consider whether or not to implement paid paternity leave,” said Chui. “If you ask me whether or not I support it, I do. But I can’t say if it [the amendment] will be passed… on how long it [paternity leave] will be and how to put the policy into action. I think more discussions and consultations are needed.”
Chui said that new mothers would benefit from paid paternity leave as it is good for both their and their babies’ health.
Currently, statutory paid maternity leave in the private sector amounts to 56 days. Civil servants have 90 days’ paid maternity leave. Unpaid paternity leave in the private sector amounts to just two days. Civil servants enjoy paid paternity leave of five days.
Commenting on proposed legislation to prevent domestic violence, Chui said he would do his best to propose the bill to the legislature by early next year, if not this year. He said he understood that some members of the public wants to categorise domestic violence as a public crime, adding this would be the case for the majority of domestic violence crimes.
The domestic violence prevention bill needs to be passed by the legislature to become law.
Chui also said he acknowledged the fact that there is a shortage crèche places, saying his government would continue to work with civic associations to tackle the issue.
In addition, Chui met representatives of the Macau Industrial Association, Macau Importers & Exporters Association, Macau Textile Merchants Association and Macau Shipper’s Association yesterday morning at the Macau World Trade Centre in Nape to present his campaign platform.
Members of the audience asked him questions ranging from helping local companies to develop their brands to Chui’s housing policies and the development of Zone A, a land reclamation area off the north-eastern coast of the peninsula. Chui said the government would ensure that Zone A will be “suitable for habitation” with a good transport infrastructure and recreational activities. The government plans to build 28,000 public housing units in Zone A.
Chui also said his government would set up a committee in January to conduct research on developing and promoting local brands, adding he thought that the concept of locals using local products was good. Chui also said the government would talk to gaming operators to encourage them to use local products.(macaunews/macaupost)
