Cash benefits given to Singaporean parents ineligible for parental leave

The new measures will allow parents to qualify for paternity, maternity and adoption benefits of up to S$30,000, depending on their income.
By: | July 8, 2021
Topics: Compensation and Benefits | DE&I | Employee Experience | Health and Wellness | News | Singapore

Parents who are not eligible for maternity or paternity leave under their current employment will now be able to receive cash benefits from the Singapore government.

The new Bill introduced on Monday, proposing amendments to the Child Development Co-Savings Act was tabled for a first reading in Parliament by the Ministry of Social and Family Development, reports The Straits Times. 

The new measures will allow parents to qualify for paternity, maternity and adoption benefits of up to S$30,000 (US$22,266), depending on their income. 

Under the new law, the cash benefits will be equivalent to the current government-paid maternity leave for working mothers. This will apply if their current employment does not qualify them for leave. 

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Mothers who adopt can receive cash benefits equivalent to eight or 12 weeks of maternity leave, with reimbursement capped at S$20,000 (US$14,844) or S$30,000. This will also depend on their income and how many children they have. 

Natural or adoptive fathers can receive cash benefits equivalent to two weeks of paternity leave.