A GREAT PLACE FOR FAMILIES
Come January 2017, fathers with newborns get to enjoy 2 weeks of paternity leave, mandated by law.
By July 2017, mothers can share up to 4 weeks of their maternity leave with their husbands, up from the current 1 week.
I was happy to announce these enhancements during NPTD's Committee of Supply debate in #Parliament today.
Over the past few months, I have been meeting parents from all walks of life who candidly shared their #parenthood experiences with me - both the joys and challenges. A frequent message that I hear is that our young fathers want to be more involved in caring for their children and are trying their best to do so. I know that many of them will welcome the new enhancements, which are part of the Government’s wide-ranging efforts to make parenthood more Achievable, Enjoyable and Celebrated.
What do these new measures really mean for parents?
With these enhancements, dads can spend up to 8 weeks with their newborns in the first year of their child’s birth. This includes 2 weeks of government-paid paternity leave, 4 weeks of government-paid shared parental leave, 6 days of employer-paid childcare leave (available till the child turns 12), and 6 days of unpaid infant care leave.
We hope that more #dads will use the longer leave to bond with their newborns, and be actively involved in bringing them up. I know many dads are eager to do their part at home and that mums will appreciate more of their support.
We need the whole-of-community to step in to foster a more family friendly environment. The support of employers and co-workers is key if dads are to play a greater role at home. Given that just 33,000 or so fathers are eligible for paternity leave every year, I am confident that most businesses, including the 180,000 SMEs in our economy, will be able to adapt to the leave enhancements.
Before the new laws kick in, employers can already start to provide #fathers the additional paternity leave. Smart bosses know that being family-friendly enhances their attractiveness as employers, promotes productivity and makes good business sense overall. As our businesses prepare themselves for the Future Economy, helping employees better manage their work-life responsibilities is increasingly not only a necessity but a powerful competitive advantage. More should get on board!
With Government, employers and the community all chipping in, we can collectively help make #Singapore a Great Place for Families. -- Jo Teo
#SGBudget2016
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