Why paternity leave should not be introduced in all institutions: HC

The High Court has issued a rule asking as to why directives should not be given to form a paternity leave policy for employees in all public and private institutions in Bangladesh.

An HC bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque issued the rule on Tuesday responding to a related writ petition.

A total of 11 respondents, including the cabinet secretary, the secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, and the secretary of the Ministry of Law, were asked to respond to the rule within four weeks.

A writ petition was filed in the High Court seeking directives to formulate a paternity leave policy for employees in all institutions on July 3.

The petition argued that the notion that only mothers are primarily responsible for newborn care has changed. The role of fathers is increasingly recognised, especially in busy cities like Dhaka where support from other family members is limited.