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SINGAPORE: A survey by the Manpower Ministry has found that more employers have embraced pro-family policies. However, some employers have concerns about how the enhanced Marriage and Parenthood Package will impact their operations.
Come January, paid maternity leave will be extended from the current 12 weeks to 16 weeks.
To ease the burden on employers, the government will subsidise half of the cost for the first two confinements. For the first and second child, the first eight weeks of maternity leave will continue to be paid by the employer.
For the third child onwards, all four months of maternity leave will be funded by the government, capped at S$40,000 per confinement including CPF contributions.
Most companies are positive about the new policies to encourage work-life balance for parents. But some small- and medium-sized businesses have expressed concerns on how the new policies may affect their operations.
Kurt Wee, vice president, Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, said: "From an employers' perspective, if you have a key person, and that person is away for four months, you obviously have to find someone as capable, as experienced, as knowledgeable to fill in that role. I think the cost in itself would be quite mild and absorbable."
Under the new package, protection for pregnant employees will also be enhanced. As of June this year, the Ministry of Manpower said it has received 26 maternity-related complaints.
Under the new rules, those dismissed without sufficient cause within the last six months of pregnancy will be entitled to their benefits, up from the current three months. This is to prevent discrimination against pregnant women in the workplace.
In order to be eligible for the maternity benefits, mothers must have worked continuously for at least 90 calendar days before childbirth - half the current duration.
Some employers agree that such measures are necessary to safeguard the interests of female employees.
"It's a good measure because obviously, the women need protection from unfair treatment from an employment standpoint," said Butch Clas, Human Resources Director of SEA and ANZ Dow Chemical Pacific.
"I think it just brings Singapore into the forefront of countries that are looking at very progressive policies around childcare."
Lim Hwee Hua, Singapore's Senior Minister of State, Finance & Transport, said: "The larger message is one of, say, getting married and having children - (which) is just part and parcel of forming a stable workforce. And therefore, promote it, and encourage it."
What more can be done to get Singaporeans pro-creating? Give us your views at www.channelnewsasia.com/maybebaby.
- CNA/yb
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