This study aims to suggest policy recommendations by evaluating the work-family reconciliation policy, especially the maternity protection scheme.

Six key findings were identified. Firstly, many female workers were excluded from the benefit of the maternity protection scheme. About a quarter of those covered by the employment insurance did not, or could not, take maternity leave, and approximately one-third did not, or could not take parental leave in 2015. Secondly, the utilization rate of the paid leave is relatively low in the vulnerable group in the labor market, such as low-wage workers, micro-enterprise workers and the service workers. It means that the universality and equality of the policy has not been guaranteed.

Thirdly, the average annual maternity leave replacement rate had declined gradually since 2006 although the declining trend varied across income quintile, The middle-quintiles are more likely to see a sharp decrease among all groups. On the other hand, the average annual parental leave replacement rate had fluctuated between 29.2% and 40.3% from 2006 to 2015.