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Leaves such as childcare leave are currently mandated, while employers are also encouraged to provide enhanced benefits such as paid parental care or child sick leave, Dr. Tan See Leng affirmed.
Earlier this week, Member of Parliament Louis Ng raised a couple of Parliamentary questions to Singapore's Ministry of Manpower, on the possibility of eventually legislating the Tripartite Standard on Unpaid Leave for Unexpected Care Needs, or even introducing one on paid childcare sick leave and parent care leave.
In a written response, Minister for Manpower Dr. Tan See Leng has affirmed that employers are presently required by current legislation to provide various types of leave to support employees’ caregiving needs. Beyond maternity and paternity leave, employers are also required to provide childcare and extended childcare leave on an annual basis.
As he added, some employers have even "gone beyond these legally mandated provisions to provide additional paid leaves such as child sick leave, parental care leave, and family care leave."
Minister Tan stated: "To promote such progressive practices, the Tripartite Partners introduced the Tripartite Standard on Work-Life Harmony, which encourages employers to provide at least two enhanced leave benefits of any type." As further explained, these can include paid child sick leave and paid parental care leave, depending on what best meets the needs of the employer and its employees.
He concluded: "We will continue to promote workplace practices that strike a good balance in addressing caregiving and business needs." This includes encouraging flexible work arrangements, which Minister Tan deemed more sustainable.
ALSO READ: More companies in Singapore are providing additional paid caregiving leave, an uptrend from 2010
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