Details on when new childcare leave benefits kick in to be shared in early 2027: Indranee
The Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup will address barriers to leave-taking and develop sector-specific solutions, and will share its full recommendations in early 2027, said Indranee.
Details on the start date of the enhanced childcare leave benefits, announced at the National Day Rally, will be disclosed in early 2027, according to Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah. This is due to the necessity of amending laws and collaborating with employers and unions to establish implementation specifics, she explained during a parliamentary question session on September 10.
The government is also exploring methods to support businesses with backfilling arrangements, although the ultimate solution lies in accepting that caregiving leave is a standard part of modern workforce policy and adjusting workplace norms and practices accordingly. Indranee, who chairs the Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup, stated that the group will identify obstacles faced by companies in facilitating leave-taking and develop sector-specific solutions in early 2027.
Beyond reimbursement of leave costs, the government aims to alter employees' mindsets about workplace norms. This could involve measures such as hiring temporary staff or recognizing employees who take on additional responsibilities to cover for absent colleagues. Indranee emphasized that a comprehensive approach is required, considering various sectors and employing a tripartite model involving trade associations, chambers, and the government.
Written by urgent.news from Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
