Reviewing Leave Provisions for Working Caregivers

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for Manpower (a) in the Government’s review to better support working caregivers, whether the provision of mandatory paid parent-care leave by employers was considered; and (b) if so, what were the considerations in determining its feasibility.

In reviewing how the Government can better support working caregivers, we recognise that caregiving needs are diverse, and a holistic approach is needed to help caregivers enter or remain in the workforce.

Leave can alleviate the stress of managing work and caregiving needs like accompanying care recipients to medical appointments. However, leave on its own is unlikely to fully support working caregivers throughout their caregiving journey.

Firstly, caregivers of seniors with high care needs may require long-term care support to ensure that the needs of their elderly loved ones are met whilst they are at work. There is a range of home and community care options to meet such needs, and the Ministry of Health is also exploring new care models, such as the Enhanced Home Personal Care service, to better support seniors’ care at home.

Secondly, working caregivers have also highlighted that flexible work arrangements (FWAs), such as part-time and staggered work hours, are important in helping them manage work and caregiving responsibilities more sustainably. To shape stronger norms around flexible workplaces, the Government has worked with the tripartite partners to launch the Tripartite Guidelines on FWA Requests and developed information and training resources to build employers’ capabilities to implement FWAs.

In considering whether to provide mandatory leave for caregivers, we need to balance caregivers’ needs with the potential impact on employers’ business costs and operations, as well as the employability of caregivers in the long term. Any leave enhancements will need to be studied carefully and developed in close consultation with the tripartite partners.