The findings of a survey on local residents’ fertility intentions released yesterday show that 81.4 percent of respondents identified “stable income and job security” as the primary factor influencing their financial confidence in having and raising children.
The findings also show that 46.5 percent of respondents said that strengthened government housing support would be needed to help boost Macau’s birth rate.
The survey was jointly conducted between September and last month by the Macau Federation of Trade Unions (commonly known as Gung Luen in Cantonese) and the Macau Working Mothers Association. A press conference was held at a Gung Luen service centre in Toi San district yesterday to announce the survey’s findings.
The survey collected 651 valid questionnaires from local residents aged 18 or above.
According to the press conference, 68.4 percent of respondents said they want strengthened childcare skills training and postnatal confinement support services, while 62.7 percent said they want Macau to enhance its postnatal physical recovery support services.
Representatives at the press conference suggested that the government include postnatal confinement support and postnatal recovery in the public healthcare system, delivering affordable postnatal care services through partnerships with community associations and private social service organisations.
The survey findings also show that 67 percent of respondents called for the creation of additional statutory leave to give parents more flexibility in caring for their children, while 55.9 percent wanted the implementation of “more flexible” paternity leave.
Under the Labour Relations Law, a new father is currently entitled to five days of statutory paid paternity leave.
Yesterday’s press conference representatives suggested that the government propose amendments to the law to gradually raise statutory paid paternity leave to 10 days.
They also called on the government to study the feasibility of creating a “parental care leave” scheme, enabling parents to take flexible leave during child illnesses or school holidays.
To foster a family-friendly workplace environment, the representatives suggested introducing legislative amendments or guidelines to encourage businesses to implement flexible working hours and work-from-home options, backed by tax incentives or commendation schemes to boost employer participation.
The representatives also suggested upgrading community family amenities – such as adding family toilets, lactation rooms, and priority lanes for parents with young children – to create a supportive child-rearing environment.
Gung Luen Vice President Ella Lei Cheng I (second from left), Leong Meng Ian (second from right), who heads the federation’s Women’s Committee, Macau Working Mothers Association Chairwoman Hoi Sun San (right), and Ho Lai Cheng, the survey’s researcher, pose for a group photo during yesterday’s press conference at a Gung Luen service centre in Toi San district. Lei is a member of the Legislative Assembly (AL). – Photo courtesy of TDM
