Development, Opportunity, and Government Services minister Terry Lister announced that he had asked Cabinet secretary Leo Mills to rewrite a section of Government's General Orders.

The move, promised in last year's election platform, will allow for special leave with pay for up to a week.

This leave is granted at the discretion of the Cabinet secretary -- who is also head of the Civil Service -- to fathers of new borns, during the first few weeks after birth.

Mr. Lister said the Bermuda Public Services Association, the union representing most civil servants had been consulted and had signed onto the amendment.