 |
 |
|
|
|
To enable working mothers to strengthen bonding with their newborns and provide more time to recuperate from childbirth, paid maternity leave will be extended from 12 weeks to 16 weeks for mothers with Singapore Citizen births. This would be regardless of the birth order of the child. The legislative amendments take effect on 31 Oct 2008. Employers are required to grant the additional maternity leave to employees after 31 Oct 2008. For the first two confinements, the first eight weeks of maternity leave will continue to be employer-paid. The last eight weeks will be funded by the Government (capped at $20,000 per confinement including CPF). For the third and subsequent confinements, the full 16 weeks will be funded by the Government (capped at $40,000 per confinement including CPF). The last 8 weeks of maternity leave (i.e. 9th to 16th week) can be taken flexibly over a period of 12 months from the date of confinement if there is mutual agreement between the employer and employee. In addition, a female employee will be eligible for maternity leave benefits if she has worked for the employer for at least 90 days before the birth of the child. This qualifying period has been reduced from 180 days. An employer would also be required to pay a female employee's maternity benefits if she is (i) retrenched within the last three months of pregnancy; or (ii) dismissed without sufficient cause within six months before the birth of her child.
What are the changes that have been made to maternity leave? With effect from 31 October 2008: a) Paid maternity leave will be for up to 16 weeks (previously 12 weeks). For the first two confinements, the first eight weeks of maternity leave will continue to be employer-paid. The last eight weeks will be funded by the Government (capped at $10,000 per 4 weeks i.e. $20,000 per confinement including CPF contributions). For the third and subsequent confinements, the full 16 weeks will be funded by the Government (capped at $10,000 per 4 weeks i.e. $40,000 per confinement including CPF contributions). The last 8 weeks may be taken flexibly within a 12-month period from the birth of the child. b) To qualify for maternity leave benefits, the mother must have worked for at least 90 days with the employer (previously 180 days). c) Maternity leave benefits will be payable even if the pregnant employee is retrenched within the last 3 months of pregnancy. d) Maternity leave benefits will be payable even if the pregnant employee is dismissed without sufficient cause within the last 6 months of pregnancy*. e) Mothers will be able to claim maternity leave payment from all their employers if they work for more than one employer at the same time. *Includes termination of employment with or without notice. Employers will be required to grant the additional maternity leave to their employees after 31 Oct 2008 when the legislative amendments take effect. In the transitional period, they are encouraged to grant such leave from 17 August 2008. This is part of the overall package of measures to support parenthood and make Singapore a more conducive place for families. A longer period of maternity leave will allow working mothers more time to bond with their newborns and recuperate from childbirth. It also gives mothers additional time to ensure that childcare arrangements are satisfactory, before they return to work.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Privacy Statement | Terms of Use | Copyright © 2006 Ministry of Manpower. All rights reserved. |