Debated in Parliament on 6 Aug 2024.
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance whether the Government has any plans to increase the childcare leave entitlement for parents of second or more children as an additional incentive to promote fertility.
We recognise that many parents with young children require support in managing their work and caregiving responsibilities. We have, therefore, progressively increased parental leave provisions over the years. The most recent enhancement was implemented on 1 January 2024, when we doubled Government-Paid Paternity Leave from two to four weeks on a voluntary basis, and Unpaid Infant Care Leave from six to 12 days per parent per year in their child’s first two years. We are presently studying how to strengthen parental leave support for those with infants who typically have high care needs.
In considering any enhancement to leave provisions, including increasing childcare leave for parents with more children, we will need to strike a balance between supporting the needs of parents and the impact on employers’ manpower and operational requirements. Therefore, beyond legislated leave provisions, we also encourage other sustainable ways that support parents in juggling work and caregiving commitments, such as flexible work arrangements (FWAs). The Tripartite Guidelines on FWA Requests will take effect from 1 December 2024. The mandatory guidelines will enable employers and employees to have open discussions and work out arrangements that can meet both parties’ needs and constraints.
It is also critical for our workplaces to have a family-friendly culture and we encourage employers, supervisors and colleagues to be supportive when working parents need to tap on these measures to care for their children. On the Government’s part, we will continue to work with the Tripartite Partners and community partners to foster a conducive environment to support Singaporeans’ marriage and parenthood aspirations.
PAPERCUTS