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Pioneering Family-Friendly Workplaces: UNICEF’s Call for Extended Paid Parental Leave in Thailand

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In a spirited effort to champion more robust family-friendly policies within Thailand’s workplaces, a thought leadership conference, “Supporting Working Parents with Paid Parental Leave: Status, Sharing Experiences, and Next Steps,” stole the spotlight. Organised by UNICEF, the Embassy of Sweden, and the UN Global Compact Network Thailand (UNGCNT), this compelling event succeeded in drawing together an array of stakeholders, including business leaders and government representatives. The primary agenda? To spotlight and discuss the undeniable benefits that paid parental leave delivers to both enterprises and families, underscoring its pivotal role in nurturing child development.

A resounding call to action echoed through the event halls as UNICEF and its partners beseeched both the Royal Thai Government and employers to amplify the duration of paid maternity and paternity leaves across public and private sectors. Their compelling argument centered around the unparalleled importance of prioritizing early childhood, a phase where children, believe it or not, forge up to 1,000 new brain connections each second. This frenetic pace of development is a fleeting window of opportunity, one that demands the attentive care and nurturing that only extended parental presence can provide. Speakers eloquently laid out the case for longer paid parental leaves, not simply as a boon for children and families but as a substantial investment in Thailand’s socio-economic and human growth.

The business perspective is equally revealing. According to a recent qualitative study by UNICEF, investigating the practices of 10 companies, extended leave has tangible business benefits. Firms that ventured into offering longer leaves saw heightened employee loyalty, diminished turnover rates, and consequently, a reduction in recruitment costs, while simultaneously enhancing talent attraction and retention. An enlightening statistic illuminated the discussion: approximately 43% of women and 71% of men reportedly weigh paid parental leave heavily when choosing where to work.

Kyungsun Kim, UNICEF’s Representative for Thailand, affirmed the irreplaceable essence of early childhood, remarking, “The early years of a child’s life are irreplaceably important. During infancy, children need care, parental bonding, proper nutrition, and essential healthcare such as immunisation. For working parents to provide this, they need both time and resources – and that’s where paid parental leave becomes indispensable, benefiting children, families, employers and the nation as a whole. In a rapidly aging society like Thailand, no investment is as powerful as that in early childhood development.”

However, Thailand finds itself trailing behind its regional peers such as Vietnam, the Philippines, and China, in the realm of parental leave policies. It peculiarly falls short of the International Labour Organization’s recommended 18-week maternity leave benchmark. Thai mothers contend with a mere 98 days (roughly 14 weeks) in the private sector, but may receive up to six months in a government job. Even within this framework, private sector employers cover only 45 days in full salary, with the rest partially supported by social security at a cap of THB 15,000 monthly. The scenario is bleaker for fathers who are limited to just 15 days of leave in the public sector and are deprived of any paid leave in the private sphere.

Anna Hammargren, Sweden’s ambassador to Thailand, offered glowing insights into her country’s long-standing policies supporting families, saying, “Sweden has seen firsthand the profound impact of investing in policies that support families. For many decades, we have prioritised initiatives like parental leave and subsidised childcare. Our experience shows that these efforts not only foster healthier families and gender equality but also strengthen our society and economy as a whole. We’re proud that 12 Swedish companies in Thailand have led the way by pledging to provide one month of parental leave, demonstrating their commitment to supporting working parents.”

The advantages of longer paid parental leaves expand well beyond immediate happiness for new mothers and fathers. Research indicates that extended maternity leave augments breastfeeding rates, lowers infant mortality, and substantially aids in enhancing the cognitive development of children. Moreover, enhanced paternity leave advocates for fathers to take a more hands-on approach to parenting, promoting an equitable share of responsibilities and nurturing stronger parent-child bonds.

UNICEF’s latest study amongst 10 prominent companies highlighted a mounting clamor for expanded paid parental leave in Thailand. Alarmingly, 70% of surveyed mothers deemed their current leave insufficient, while 30% of fathers voiced a similar opinion. Many mothers expressed a poignant need for at least six months of paid leave to adequately support breastfeeding, a crucial determinant of child development. The 2022 Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey administered by the National Statistical Office alongside UNICEF unveiled a dismal statistic: a mere 29% of children in Thailand benefit from exclusive breastfeeding – ranking among the lowest globally.

Thanyaporn Krichtitayawuth, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network Thailand (UNGCNT), emphasized that advocating for extended paid parental leave transcends the realm of employee perks. “Expanding paid parental leave in Thailand is not just a matter of employee benefits; it’s a strategic investment in the nation’s future, impacting child health, parental well-being, economic growth, gender equality, and overall social progress,” she asserted.

Along with lobbing for more extended paid parental leave, UNICEF championed the idea that the Government and businesses should endorse a comprehensive family-friendly policy agenda. Tying in with the recently enacted Marriage Equality Act, these policies should be inclusive, covering adopted children as well. Supplementary initiatives like breastfeeding support, adaptable work schedules, access to affordable, quality childcare, and child benefits or grants strengthen the framework, ensuring children and families flourish. Notably, these measures bolster human capital development, promising substantial returns for businesses and society at large.

30 Comments

  1. Joe November 4, 2024

    It’s about time Thailand caught up with more progressive nations on parental leave. The benefits are clearly there for both families and businesses.

    • grower134 November 4, 2024

      Progressive? More like unnecessary. Businesses shouldn’t be forced to shoulder the cost of personal life choices.

      • Larry Davis November 4, 2024

        Actually, it’s not just about personal life; it’s a societal investment. Healthier children contribute to a more productive future workforce.

    • Joe November 4, 2024

      Exactly, and investing in children reaps benefits for everyone. The statistics show reduced turnover and better talent retention. It’s a win-win.

  2. Mary48 November 4, 2024

    Why is the focus solely on parental leave when there are so many other urgent issues in Thailand?

    • Anna Lee November 4, 2024

      Parental leave ties into broader social issues, like gender equality and economic development. It’s not a distraction but a step forward.

  3. Sally S November 4, 2024

    As a Thai mother, 98 days of maternity leave is not enough. The stress of rushing back to work impacts my ability to care for my child.

  4. Krit November 4, 2024

    If companies thrive with longer parental leaves elsewhere, why shouldn’t it work here in Thailand too?

  5. Mark T November 4, 2024

    Look at Sweden’s model; their economy is thriving partly because they support families. Ignoring these benefits is just stubborn.

  6. Emma J November 4, 2024

    Extended paid leave sounds great for big companies but what about small businesses? They can’t afford such luxuries.

    • Krit November 4, 2024

      That’s a valid concern. There needs to be government support to help small businesses transition.

    • Larry Davis November 4, 2024

      Maybe tax breaks or subsidies could be introduced to balance it out for smaller ventures.

  7. Fah T November 4, 2024

    In a country with an aging population, like Thailand, investing in younger generations is crucial. These policies are necessary for long-term growth.

  8. KevinB November 4, 2024

    It’s laughable to think that all the issues can be solved by simply offering more leave. Cultural shifts take much more than that!

    • Ann M November 4, 2024

      True, but policy changes are a starting point. They promote cultural shifts over time by setting new norms.

  9. Michael November 4, 2024

    Just because something works in one country doesn’t mean it will have the same effects in Thailand.

  10. PollyG November 4, 2024

    Parental leave policies should also focus on fathers more. Men should be encouraged to take an active role in early child-rearing.

    • Tom K November 4, 2024

      Exactly, but men face stigma for taking leave, which needs to change for these policies to be successful.

    • Joe November 4, 2024

      Societal attitudes have to evolve. It’s not just about legal policy but about changing perceptions.

  11. Tom K November 4, 2024

    As a father, I only got a few days off. It’s not enough time to bond with my newborn, and that impacts family dynamics in the long run.

  12. SueW November 4, 2024

    The business benefits shouldn’t be ignored, but let’s not forget that the primary focus must be on the welfare of children.

  13. Lila November 4, 2024

    How can Thailand afford this when other basic needs are still unmet?

  14. grower134 November 4, 2024

    Anyone considered how these policies would affect national productivity? Leave is leave; work is work.

  15. KathyP November 4, 2024

    I’m appalled UNICEF says education isn’t as powerful an investment as early childhood care. Knowledge is power!

  16. RobERT23 November 4, 2024

    I’m skeptical. More leave could lead to abuse of the system with people not returning to work at all.

    • Larry Davis November 4, 2024

      Those cases are the exception, not the rule. Most people want to return to work when they feel their family is stable.

  17. Priya C November 4, 2024

    The experiences of countries with robust policies prove that they actually strengthen economies.

  18. Lucas M November 4, 2024

    Sweden is not Thailand. We should develop a culturally suitable model rather than blindly copying.

  19. NancyR November 4, 2024

    Parental leave is just one piece of the puzzle. What about affordable childcare options?

  20. Ingrid November 4, 2024

    If businesses can incorporate corporate social responsibility, why can’t they extend the same to family-friendly policies?

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