An Opposition MP called a Bill allowing granting adoptive parents and legal guardians parental leave a “slap in the face” to single fathers.

Scott Pearman, the Shadow Minister of Justice, spoke out after the Employment Amendment Act 2026 passed in the House of Assembly on Monday.

The amendment allows for 13 weeks of leave for adoptive mothers and five consecutive days for adoptive fathers of children below age 2, to be paid if the parents have been employed for more than one year by the time the child is placed in their care.

Mr Pearman, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, highlighted how offering adoptive mothers more leave than adoptive fathers could render the bill discriminatory.

However a motion that the House rise to consider recommendations from the One Bermuda Alliance failed to pass in Parliament.

Mr Pearman said: “This Progressive Labour Party Bill is a slap in the face to single fathers seeking to adopt or assume legal guardianship for a child in need.

“It is a courageous step to adopt a child, yet rather than supporting single fathers, the PLP chooses to discriminate against them, treating single fathers like second-class citizens.”

He said Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, did not pause the Bill when invited and instead “pressed on with his defective legislation”.

Eight MPs approved Mr Pearman’s motion for the House to rise, while 13 voted against it and three abstained.

Mr Pearman said the fact that three PLP MPs abstained “sends a very loud message to the electorate”.