Family & gender — Topics

11 May 2021

Consent for Spouses on Dependant Passes to Work Part-time and Temporary Jobs

Christopher de Souza proposed allowing spouses on Dependant's Passes to work part-time or temporarily under a letter of consent instead of requiring a work pass.
Josephine Teo clarified that from May 2021, all Dependant's Pass holders must obtain a relevant work pass to work, with applicable salary and levy criteria.
Existing Dependant's Pass holders working on Letters of Consent can continue until their LOC expires, and most will qualify for a work pass.
Foreign spouses and children on Long-Term Visit Passes or LTVP-Plus are unaffected and may still use LOCs for employment.

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11 May 2021

Strengthening Legal Framework to Penalise Eyewitnesses and Participants who Do Not Report or Contribute to Abuse against Vulnerable Persons

The government has already strengthened legal protections for vulnerable persons, with 2019 amendments to the Penal Code introducing new offences and enhanced penalties for abuse against children, domestic workers, and those unable to protect themselves.
Specific laws now penalize persons in the same household who fail to protect vulnerable victims, including Section 335A and Section 304C of the Penal Code, which came into force in 2020.
The existing framework addresses inaction and failure to report abuse by family members and others in close contact with vulnerable persons, aiming to hold them accountable for allowing abuse to continue.

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11 May 2021

Take-up Rates of Parent-care Leave by Public Servants for 2019 and 2020

In 2019, the take-up rate for parent-care leave among eligible public servants was about 50%.
In 2020, the take-up rate for parent-care leave among eligible public servants was also about 50%.
The Prime Minister's office confirmed these figures in response to a parliamentary question by Louis Ng Kok Kwang.

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11 May 2021

Improvements to Support Schemes to Prevent Inter-generational Transmission of Criminality

The government provides comprehensive support through programmes like the Yellow Ribbon Community Project and Prisons Family Resource Centres, assisting thousands of families—including those with children—affected by parental incarceration with financial, social, and accommodation aid.
Multiple community partners, including the Singapore Prison Service and organizations like The Salvation Army and Singapore Children’s Society, offer family-centric programmes such as mentoring, counselling, and parenting support to break the cycle of criminality.
A new interest-based mentoring pilot programme, launching in Q4, targets students leaving ITE prematurely, focusing on matching mentors and mentees while considering gender and providing training to support youths’ aspirations and positive role modeling.

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11 May 2021

Volume of Applications for HDB BTO Flats under Married Child Priority and Multi-Generation Priority Schemes

Minister Desmond Lee stated that the Married Child Priority Scheme sets aside up to 30% of flats for first-timer families and 15% for second-timer families, while the Multi-Generation Priority Scheme allows joint applications for two flats in the same BTO project, with up to 15% of 2-room Flexi or 3-room flats reserved for parent applicants.
Over the past three years, MCPS received about 8,900, 11,800, and 12,700 applications, with 5,300, 5,400, and 4,800 successful, while MGPS saw 400, 700, and 900 applications, with 400, 600, and 600 successful.
HDB will not introduce a priority scheme for parents whose children study near BTO projects, as existing schemes like the Parenthood Priority Scheme and Third Child Priority Scheme already cater to families with children.
Applicants can improve their chances by applying for flats in non-mature estates or with lower application rates, and first-timers who fail in non-mature estates get extra ballot chances; they may also consider resale flats with grants up to $160,000.

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11 May 2021

Measures to Ensure Young Couples Get HDB Flats Given Projected Construction Delays and Increased Property Prices

Dr Shahira Abdullah questioned the Minister for National Development on the impact of BTO construction delays and rising property prices, specifically asking about oversubscription in the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS), additional measures if oversubscribed, and further help for young couples needing homes.
The Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) saw a rise in applications from 1,370 in 2019 to 2,350 in 2020, but about 40% of successful applicants did not take up flats, indicating not all are in urgent need; HDB is working to stabilize PPHS supply and may offer interim rental housing on a case-by-case basis.
First-timer buyers with urgent needs can consider resale flats with up to $160,000 in grants for immediate occupation, and recent border measures may further delay BTO projects by an additional three months beyond the earlier communicated six to nine months, with HDB providing updates and assistance to affected buyers.

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11 May 2021

Allowing Single Unwed Parents to Qualify for Interim Housing while Waiting for Completion of New Flats

Louis Ng asked if single unwed parents can qualify for interim housing under the PPHS while waiting for new flats, and if not, why.
Desmond Lee explained that PPHS supply is limited and prioritizes married couples to support marriage and parenthood.
He noted that single unwed parents can still seek assistance from HDB, which will assess their circumstances holistically to help them.

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11 May 2021

Providing Child Car Seats in Taxis and Private Hire Cars

MP Louis Ng proposed equipping all taxis and private hire cars with two free, portable child car seats (one for nine months to four years, one for older children) to enhance safety, reduce parent costs, and minimize driver-passenger conflicts, noting the government could fund this at an estimated $15 million.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary acknowledged child safety importance but highlighted operational challenges like boot space, installation time, and low uptake in past trials (e.g., SMRT's booster seat trial), stressing that current rules balance diverse needs and market solutions are emerging.
Both sides agreed on launching awareness campaigns to promote child car seat use, with the government open to exploring Ng's hospital-based infant seat proposals and studying data to review laws, while noting the need for stakeholder collaboration on hygiene and logistics.

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10 May 2021

Number of Applications to Purchase HDB Flats by Single Unwed Parents Rejected in Past Five Years

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for National Development for the number of single unwed parents who applied to buy HDB flats and how many were rejected each year in the past five years.
Desmond Lee said the government holistically assesses each case, allowing single unwed parents in stable employment to buy up to a 3-room flat in non-mature estates and considering public rental for those with insufficient funds.
From 2017 to 2019, about 50 requests per year were received, with 70% rejected, rising to 200 requests in 2020 with 30% rejected.
Rejections were mainly due to missing documents and insufficient budget, but rates improved after policy changes in 2020.

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10 May 2021

Key Factors Contributing to Reduction of Gender Wage Gaps over Past Decade and Industries where Gender Wage Gap is Zero or Reversed

The adjusted gender pay gap in Singapore narrowed from 8.8% in 2002 to 6.0% in 2018, which is lower than in many other developed countries, with occupational segregation being the main factor behind the remaining gap.
Industries with zero or reversed gender wage gaps were not specified in the response, but the Minister highlighted efforts to support women entering male-dominated fields like healthcare and STEM, where men are currently overrepresented in higher-paying roles.
The government is promoting mentorship, career guidance, merit-based employment, flexible work arrangements, and shared caregiving to reduce the gap and support women’s career progression, though wider societal changes are still needed.

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10 May 2021

Breakdown of Funds Allocated to Casework, Group Work and Community Work in Family Service Centres in Past Five Years

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Social and Family Development for the amount and percentage of funds allocated to casework, group work, and community work in Family Service Centres each year over the past five years.
The Minister stated that funding for casework is based on the number and complexity of cases, with additional funding provided for group and community work, but no readily available data exists on individual allocations as centres may internally re-allocate funds based on needs.
The total funding to Family Service Centres increased from $84.3 million in 2016 to $114.7 million in 2020, driven by more cases, additional centres, and higher funding norms.

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10 May 2021

Mandatory Intervention or Counselling Programmes for Rehabilitation and Re-integration of Perpetrators of Domestic Violence Cases

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked whether mandatory intervention or counselling programmes exist for rehabilitating and reintegrating perpetrators of domestic violence.
Masagos Zulkifli explained that the Court can order attendance at the Mandatory Counselling Programme when granting a Personal Protection Order, focusing on reducing violence and teaching respectful conflict resolution.
Perpetrators and victims may also voluntarily seek support from Family Violence Specialist Centres and Family Service Centres for rehabilitation.
Re-integration is considered on a case-by-case basis, with social work professionals and the Courts determining the safest and most appropriate interventions.
The overall goal is to ensure family safety and functioning while addressing the perpetrator’s behaviour.

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10 May 2021

Enhancing Criminal Penalties for Breach of Personal Protection Order and Review of Existing Framework to Protect Persons from Violence and Harassment

The Minister confirmed that penalties for breaches of protection orders under the Protection from Harassment Act were doubled in 2020, particularly for repeat breaches and offences against vulnerable persons.
Existing support systems, including the National Family Violence Networking System and 24-hour helpline, already assist victims in reporting breaches and accessing services, making a new specialized centre unnecessary unless clarified.
The government is conducting periodic reviews, including through the Task Force on Family Violence, to strengthen protections, enhance reporting mechanisms, and improve perpetrator accountability, with recommendations expected later this year.

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10 May 2021

Number of and Reasons for Children Currently Under State Care

There were about 1,100 children under state care as of end-December 2020, placed in foster families or residential facilities as a last resort when it is unsafe for them to stay with their families.
Children are removed only in serious cases of abuse or neglect, with efforts first made to place them with kin or foster families before residential care, and MSF works toward safe reunification through family support services and supervised access.
When reunification is not possible or not in the child’s best interest, longer-term plans include Enhanced Care and Protection Orders allowing caregivers to legally care for children until age 21, adoption by foster parents or others, or preparation for independent living through children’s homes.

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10 May 2021

Mental Health Support for New and Expectant Mothers

Dr Wan Rizal asked if mental health support for new and expectant mothers can be included in periodic pregnancy check-ups.
Minister Gan Kim Yong highlighted that obstetricians identify mental health concerns during pregnancy and that public hospitals like KKH and NUH have provided perinatal mental health screening and intervention since 2007, benefiting over 165,000 women as of 2020.
SGH also offers a psychiatry clinic within obstetrics-gynaecology for referrals, and positive cases are managed by a multi-disciplinary team with additional support for family and financial needs.
The government plans to develop a Child and Maternal Health and Well-being Strategy to further review and enhance mental well-being support for mothers based on latest research and pilots.

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10 May 2021

Yearly Number of Reconstituted Families Applying for HDB Loans

Ms Mariam Jaafar asked about the annual number of reconstituted families applying for HDB loans, the rejection rate due to prior loans by one spouse, and whether rules could be eased for families where one spouse hasn't used HDB loans.
HDB provides up to two concessionary loans per eligible household, with reconstituted families who exceed this able to seek loans from financial institutions instead.
HDB does not track applications by reconstituted families but exercises flexibility to offer third loans to those with urgent housing needs and no other financing options.

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10 May 2021

Number and Waiting Time for Appeals to HDB for Interim Rental Housing by Persons Going Through Divorce

Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked about the number of appeals, average waiting time, and potential financing support review for divorcees seeking interim rental housing from HDB.
Desmond Lee stated that interim rental housing is assessed case-by-case, with an average waiting time of two to three months after document submission, and noted that as of March 2021, eight households in such housing were going through divorce.
He explained that divorcees with care of their children have the same access to public housing as other families, including eligibility for grants and priority schemes like ASSIST for second-timers.
The government continually reviews housing policies to ensure inclusivity and encourages those in need to approach HDB for individual assistance.

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10 May 2021

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Singaporeans' Desire to Have Babies

The government conducts regular surveys to understand Singaporeans' views on marriage and parenthood, with the 2016 survey showing strong intentions to marry but a tendency to delay family formation for career and financial goals.
A 2020 pandemic survey revealed that about three in ten couples planning children changed their minds due to health and economic uncertainty, leading to the introduction of a one-off $3,000 Baby Support Grant.
The government is holding conversations from April to September to hear directly from Singaporeans on how the pandemic may have shifted sentiments toward marriage and parenthood.
Officials emphasize that marriage and parenthood are personal decisions, and the government aims to address concerns through existing support schemes and community efforts.

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10 May 2021

Extension of Working Mother Child Relief to Unmarried Working Mothers

Shawn Huang Wei Zhong asked whether the Working Mother Child Relief (WMCR) can be extended to unmarried working mothers to reduce their income tax.
Heng Swee Keat highlighted that Singaporean children receive substantial benefits regardless of parents' marital status, including Child Development Account, MediSave Grant, education subsidies, and healthcare support.
He noted that working mothers of all marital statuses are entitled to 16-week maternity leave, paid childcare leave, and concessionary foreign domestic worker levy.
The WMCR is currently only for married, divorced, or widowed mothers, as it aims to support parenthood within marriage and reflect societal norms.
The government will continue reviewing tax policies while considering prevailing societal norms and needs.

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10 May 2021

Wrongful Dismissal Involving Employees who were Pregnant at Time of Dismissal

Since April 2019, TADM has handled 110 wrongful dismissal claims involving pregnant employees, with about 80% resolved through mediation and the rest referred to the Employment Claims Tribunals.
TADM investigates dismissal circumstances by gathering facts from both parties, assesses claims, and facilitates settlements, often explaining performance issues while encouraging compassionate ex-gratia payments.
For in-employment or pre-employment discrimination cases, TAFEP refers evidence-based complaints to MOM for investigation, which can lead to enforcement actions like HR process rectification or work pass suspensions.
MOM advises individuals to file discrimination complaints with TAFEP for issues before or during employment, and with TADM for dismissal-related matters.

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