Paternity Leave in Indonesia

All paternity leave is beneficial to fathers, but paid paternity leave delivers additional social and economic benefits. Research has shown that men are much more likely to use paternity leave when it is paid at an income replacement rate, is provided for fathers only (often referred to as ‘ring-fenced leave’, or ‘use or lose’ leave) and when their right to return to their job is protected. Uptake of the formal provision of paid paternity leave for Indonesian fathers, however, is limited due to traditional gender roles, the amount of the entitlement, and the prevalence of informal employment in the Indonesian economy. Social expectations around gender roles often dissuade men from taking paternity leave.

This fact sheet discusses the benefits of paternity leave, the state of paternity leave in Indonesia and the policy challenges that are preventing the advancement paternity leave in the country.