channelnewsasia.com - No baby bonus for single unwed mothers MCYS
   
 
  blogs  
 
yournews
   
   
Video Finance Lifestyle Travel Weather Discussion TV Shows
CNA Live    | About Us 
 
  Home ›
 
Singapore News

 
 

No baby bonus for single unwed mothers: MCYS
By Valarie Tan, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 08 March 2007 2103 hrs

 
 
Photos  of

   
 
Special Report
Singapore Budget 2007

SINGAPORE: The baby bonus will not be extended to single unwed mothers as the Marriage and Parenthood Package is an incentive for married couples.

Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, said this in response to a suggestion by Nominated MP Siew Kum Hong in Parliament on Thursday.

The NMP had also called for the third-month maternity benefits to be extended to single unwed mothers so that their children will not be disadvantaged.

Mrs Yu-Foo said single unwed mothers are not a large group in Singapore.

Currently, some 500 children are registered without their fathers' names each year.

And she pointed out that single unwed mothers have access to benefits such as 12 weeks of maternity leave under the Employment Act.

This includes eight weeks paid by their employer for their first and second births.

Single unwed mothers are also eligible for other benefits like the concessionary maid levy and childcare leave.

They can also rent or buy a HDB flat with their parents - or another single - if they are aged 35 and above.

Mrs Yu-Foo added, "Their children are eligible for centre-based child care and infant care subsidies. They pay the same school fees, enjoy Edusave grants and qualify for the same scholarships and bursaries. No Singaporean child will be denied an education due to the circumstances of his birth."

In explaining the government's position of not extending the baby bonus to single unwed mothers, Mrs Yu-Foo said, "The Marriage and Parenthood Package is not a financial assistance scheme for children. The government cannot and should not be the surrogate father."

The government will instead focus on encouraging more Singaporeans to settle down and get married.

The Social Development Unit, a government agency which organises interaction opportunities for singles, is setting up an accreditation council to oversee the entry of more private-sector dating agencies.

SDU is also funding three private initiatives for singles to meet their future partners under the 'Partner Connection Fund'. - CNA/ir

 

 
Add Your Comments   View Comments ()
Name : E-mail:
Your views   (Max 600 chars)
word count:   more chars available.
........................................................................................................................................
Enter the code exactly as you see it.
I have read terms & conditions
  



Other singapore News
State coroner records misadventure in rojak poisoning deaths
Medisave for selected hospitalisation and day surgery overseas
Visitor arrivals to Singapore hit 9.7 million last year
Wireless@SG offers auto log-in feature
Pastor apologises personally to Buddhist & Taoist federations
Borneo Motors to upgrade 70 Toyota Prius in S'pore as part of recall
Woman suing paraplegic William Tan convicted of 10 criminal charges
Tampines residents unhappy over planned rental flats
Mix of old and new as casino offers 500 tables at opening
Labour movement pushes for broad-based productivity growth
DPM Wong says "glad to note" Pastor Tan realised his mistake
Sales of hampers, goodies roaring back ahead of LNY
Underwater World Singapore launches tiger-themed exhibit
National University Cancer Institute, Singapore officially launched
More people travelling between S'pore and Malaysia for LNY
Revamped StanChart marathon to have new route, running categories
Driver arrested after hit-and-run accident leaves 2 injured
CNB arrests three men, seizes drugs worth over S$285,000

 

 
Affiliate Sites:
 
About Us  |  Contact Us  |  Advertise with Us  |  Terms & Conditions