During a parliamentary debate, Singaporean MPs proposed various measures to support families, including extending childcare leave, making childcare more affordable, improving work-life balance, and increasing access to homeownership. The motion, aimed at building a Singapore 'Made for Families', highlighted the government's commitment to addressing the needs of families and supporting their aspirations.
Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum in Singapore put forward a range of proposals during a debate on Wednesday (February 5th) aimed at supporting Singaporeans in starting and raising families. Key suggestions included extending childcare leave, making childcare more affordable, improving work-life balance, and increasing access to home ownership.
The motion, introduced by MPs Hany Soh (PAP-Marsiling-Yew Tee) and Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim (PAP-Chua Chu Kang), stated: 'This House calls for the continued review and updating of policies to better support families, as well as the marriage and parenthood aspirations of Singaporeans, and endorses a whole of society approach to build a Singapore Made for Families.' Progress Singapore Party (PSP) Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai sought to replace the phrase “continued review and updating of policies” with “reimagination”, but the amendment was ultimately rejected. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah emphasized that the government has already initiated the “reimagination process” through Forward SG, a 2022 initiative seeking feedback on refreshing Singapore's social compact. She stated, “The boat called ‘reimagination’ has already left port and is sailing. To ask us in this amendment to start reimagination is kind of like a step back, it is kind of like going to the port whereas, the ship has already sailed.” She stressed that supporting Singaporeans in starting and raising families remains a “top national priority”.MPs raised various suggestions previously discussed in parliament, focusing on increasing childcare leave. MP Louis Ng (PAP-Nee Soon) reiterated his call for childcare leave to be provided on a per-child basis, highlighting that the current provision of six days for parents with children up to seven years old is insufficient. He cited a case where a parent had to use ten days of leave to care for a child with hand, foot, and mouth disease. He also proposed extending childcare leave to parents of children up to age 12, emphasizing that primary school-aged children require care. Currently, parents of children aged seven to twelve receive two days of extended childcare leave annually. MP Zhulkarnain, a father of four, echoed these suggestions and proposed that parents with two or more children receive up to ten days of childcare leave, covering key milestones in their children's lives such as kindergarten entrance, Primary 1 registration, and PSLE.Several MPs proposed measures to alleviate the financial burden of childcare. MP Xie Yao Quan (PAP-Jurong) suggested raising the basic subsidy for full-day childcare by S$100 and reducing the minimum co-payment for median and lower-income households by the same amount. MP Gan Thiam Poh (PAP-Ang Mo Kio) referenced a survey by the National Population and Talent Division, which found that financial burden was the primary reason married couples chose not to have children, and called for comprehensive financial support throughout a child's development. He suggested increasing childcare subsidies
SINGAPORE POLITICS FAMILIES CHILDCARE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT PARLIAMENT SOCIAL POLICY
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