More childcare leave, flexible work hours for younger Singaporeans: MPs

SINGAPORE — Here are some proposals that could help increase Singapore’s fertility rate, Members of Parliament (MPs) suggested: Extend family-care leave, have caregiving support for last-minute family emergencies and inculcate a family-centric culture.

During the parliamentary debate on the budget for the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday (Feb 28), the focus was on helping Singaporeans who have to care for both their young children and their ageing parents.

MORE LEAVE

Mr Louis Ng, MP for Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency (GRC), suggested extending childcare leave. The legislated six days of paid childcare leave and unpaid infant-care leave is “insufficient”.

“Young couples are rightly concerned about whether they have the means to bring up a child. It is now not just ‘money not enough’, but also ‘time and leave not enough’,” Mr Ng said.

READ ALSO

Auditor-general is wife of political office-holder, but there’s no conflict of interest: Chan Chun Sing

Exact timing of GST hike not set yet, various factors to consider: Heng Swee Keat

Sembawang GRC MP Lim Wee Kiak said that despite several incentives available right now, such as the Baby Bonus, “things are not working that well".

He suggested looking into a “more radical” system where parents with children can take three to six years of leave to care for and raise their children.

“Make laws where these women and men will not be discriminated for the years out of the job market,” Mr Lim said.

Manpower Minister Josephine Teo, who assists Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean on population matters, responded that the Government will review the scope to expand leave provisions.

However, she cautioned about mandating businesses to do more because it could impact their viability and put jobs at risk.

FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENTS

Tampines GRC MP Desmond Choo and Jurong GRC MP Rahayu Mazam advocated having flexible work arrangements to help young Singaporeans have better work-life balance.

Mr Choo said that flexible work arrangements are “crucial” but not yet the norm in Singapore, unlike in Nordic countries. 

There is a need to make flexible work arrangements “pervasive”, he added.

READ ALSO

Overheard in Parliament: The best and the more forgettable quotes from Budget, COS debates (Feb 28) 

Electoral Boundaries Review Committee ‘not formed yet’

BACKUP CARE SUPPORT

Mr Saktiandi Supaat, MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, suggested that offering backup caregiving services in companies could help working parents find last-minute childcare or eldercare when their usual arrangements break down.

It could come in the form of a national software matching platform for working parents to find alternative arrangements.