Paternity Leave in Myanmar

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. Although Burmese fathers are entitled to paid paternity leave, traditional gender roles, statutory prerequisites and the dominance of informal employment pose significant challenges to fathers’ eligibility and uptake of the provision.

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