The Macau Women’s General Association Thursday urged the government to improve its legal framework on family policies by introducing family-friendly measures including flexible working hours, a five-day working week and paid paternity leave.
Representatives of the association including its president Lam Un Mui and vice-president Wong Kit Cheng hosted a press conference at the association’s branch office in Rua do Campo to present their views on how to amend the framework law on family policies which has been in place for more than 20 years.
Addressing the press conference, Wong, a nurse who is a directly-elected lawmaker, said that as civil society is developing rapidly the law has failed to keep up with the needs of society thus it should be amended as soon possible.
The family policy framework law, which took effect in 1994, comprises 25 articles on family rights and the importance of the family to civil society.
Wong also said she hoped that by amending the law the current needs of families would be met, adding that more specific measures aimed at promoting a happy family should be included in the government’s amendment bill.
During the press conference, the representatives proposed that the government come with measures to require local enterprises to give more support to local families by implementing a five-day working week and flexible working hours. They also said the government should amend the Labour Relations Law by extending maternity leave and introducing paid paternity leave.
The association also suggested that the responsibility of each family member and gender equality should be strengthened by the bill and that once the current law is amended the government should set up a special task force for ensue that it is fully implemented.
Any bill drafted by the government must be submitted to the Legislative Assembly (AL) for debate and vote. (macaunews/macaupost)
