Civil service introduces new 30-day leave for medical treatment of family members with chronic illness

The Civil Service Regulation has been amended to introduce a 30-day leave for medical treatment of the immediate family of civil servants who suffer from chronic illness.

The amendment introduced on Sunday allows civil servants to apply for up to 30 days of leave if their spouse, children or anyone in their legal custody need long-term medical treatment for a terminal illness or chronic condition.

Civil servants can also apply for the leave if they wish to donate their bone marrow or an organ to them.

According to the amendment, civil servants who meet the requirements are eligible to apply for an annual 30-day ‘special medical needs leave’. They will continue to receive their basic salary and rank salary during the leave.

Civil servants who apply for the leave will need to submit a medical certificate stating the type terminal illness or chronic condition and duration of treatment.

Civil servants who themselves suffer from a terminal illness or chronic condition can also apply for the same leave. As such, they can have their leave extended beyond 60 days if they submit a medical certificate stating that the type of illness they suffer from and how long they will be unable to report to work.

They can also have their leave extended beyond 60 days if they undergo surgery to donate their bone marrow or an organ.

The leave applications must go through the Civil Service Commission.