Clause 9

in subsection (1), replace paragraphs (a) and (b) with —“(a)either of the following periods, which must be taken within 16 weeks commencing on the date of the child’s birth:

in the case of the father of an April 2025 Scheme child — a period of 4 weeks;

in the case of the father of any other child — a period of 2 weeks; or

one or more than one period, where —

the duration of each period is agreed between the employee and his employer;

the duration of the period (if only one), or the aggregate duration of all the periods (if more than one), is equal to —

in the case of the father of an April 2025 Scheme child — 4 times the employee’s weekly index or 24 days, whichever is the lower; or

in the case of the father of any other child — twice the employee’s weekly index or 12 days, whichever is the lower; and

the period or all the periods (as the case may be) must be taken within 12 months commencing on the date of the child’s birth.”;

after subsection (1), insert —“(1A) A male employee mentioned in subsection (1) who is the natural father or adoptive father of an April 2025 Scheme child must —

give to his employer a notice of at least the prescribed period (or any shorter period agreed between the employee and employer) before absenting himself from work under subsection (1)(a)(i), unless the employee is prevented by any sufficient cause from doing so; and

specify in the notice given under paragraph (a) the date on which the employee intends to commence absenting himself from work under subsection (1)(a)(i).”;

in subsection (4), replace paragraph (b) with —“(b)within 12 months commencing on the date of the child’s birth, ceases to be actively engaged in his trade, business, profession or vocation during one or more than one period, where the duration of the period (if only one) or the aggregate duration of all the periods (if more than one) is equal to —

in the case of the father of a January 2024 Scheme child — 4 times his weekly index or 24 days, whichever is the lower; or

in the case of the father of any other child — twice his weekly index or 12 days, whichever is the lower; and”;

in subsection (5)(a) and (b), after “citizen”, insert “or permanent resident”;

after subsection (5), insert —“(6) When a male employee absents himself from work in accordance with this section, it is not lawful for his employer to give him a notice of dismissal during his absence or on such a day that the notice will expire during his absence.(6A) Any employer who acts in contravention of subsection (6) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.”;

in subsection (9), replace “subsection (8)” with “subsection (6A) or (8)”;

in subsections (10) and (11), replace “subsection (7) or (8)” wherever it appears with “subsection (6A), (7) or (8)”;

in subsection (12), replace “subsection (4)(b)(ii)” with “subsections (1)(a)(i) and (b)(ii)(A) and (4)(b)(i)”;

in subsection (12), replace “section 12I(4)(b)(ii)” with “section 12I(3)(b)(i) and (4)(b)(i)”; and

delete subsection (13).