Consideration to Provide Additional Paid Childcare Leave for Parents with Preterm Births

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance whether there has been further consideration of providing additional paid childcare leave for parents with preterm births, given the need for more time and care due to potential health complications.

We regularly receive feedback on enhancing child-related leave provisions, including the Member's suggestion. In recent years, parental leave provisions have been significantly enhanced, such that parents now have 30 weeks of paid leave, including 10 weeks of Shared Parental Leave.

In considering further enhancements to leave provisions, we will have to strike a balance between employees' caregiving needs and the operational impact on employers, who are still adjusting to recent parental leave enhancements.

Beyond leave provisions, it is equally important for employers to implement work-life friendly practices, such as flexible work arrangements, and demonstrate understanding towards parents who may require time away from work to care for their children. We will continue to work with tripartite partners to foster work-life friendly workplaces.