【明報專訊】THE government is considering the extension of paid maternity leave to 14 weeks, and a study is expected to be completed at the end of this year at the earliest. Maternity arrangements in Hong Kong, which have not been amended for more than 20 years, fall short of even the lowest standards suggested by the United Nations. The extension of paid maternity leave from 10 weeks to 14 weeks by the government will only bring it up to international standards, which should not be equated with welfarism. This is something good-hearted employers should understand and accept.