KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck has rejected calls for paternity leave legislation, stating that he is not in support of such a policy at this time.

Recently, People’s National Party (PNP) President Dr Peter Phillips declared that the next Government his party forms will legislate paternity leave.

However, the justice minister, in his address at a Child Diversion sensitisation session at the Casa Maria Hotel in Port Maria, St Mary on Monday, said too often mothers are left alone to take care of children while the fathers have to be taken to family court for child support.

In a subsequent Twitter post, Chuck said he is in support of paternal responsibility where fathers are urged to live up to their responsibility. 

He further argued that fathers should be encouraged to be at the birth of their child and take responsibility for the child when born.

“If parents live up their responsibility we don’t need no family court. We have to find a way to make fathers live up to their maintenance payment. The culture of worthlessness among our fathers must be overcome,” the minister tweeted.