{
  "id": 2795465,
  "title": "NDR 2026: Working parents to get up to 12 days of childcare leave; government to bear the cost",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/ndr-2026-working-parents-to-get-up-to-12-days-of-childcare-leave",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-23T12:32:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Business Times - Singapore",
    "slug": "the-business-times-singapore",
    "url": "https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/ndr-2026-working-parents-get-12-days-childcare-leave-government-bear-cost"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Singapore government announced at the National Day Rally that working parents will receive up to 12 days of childcare leave, with the cost borne by the government. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong revealed that single parents with one child (up to 12 years old) will get eight days, couples with two children will receive 10 days, and those with three or more children will obtain 12 days each. The implementation date will be determined after consultation with tripartite partners. The government will cover the full cost of all statutory child-related leave, a significant change from the current system where the financial burden is shared between the government and employers. Wong explained that the new policy acknowledges the increasing caregiving demands as families have more children, and provides greater flexibility for parents to manage their responsibilities. For instance, a working couple with three primary school-aged children would now receive a total of 24 days of childcare leave, compared to four days under the existing system. The government aims to reduce the financial burden on employers by covering the cost of these leaves, and encourages employers to be supportive of their employees who are parents, ensuring that having children does not become a disadvantage in one's career. The government will continue to engage employers and parents for feedback on the implementation of the new scheme, as legislation and systems need to be updated accordingly.",
  "summary": "Change will take effect after consultation with tripartite partners",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}