Changes Set to Give Parents More Time with Children While Supporting Gender Equality
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced at his first National Day Rally that new parents of Singaporean children will receive an additional 10 weeks of government-paid leave to share between themselves, effective from April 1, 2026. The new policy will be rolled out in phases: six weeks of shared parental leave for parents of babies born from April 1, 2025, followed by the full 10 weeks for babies born from April 1, 2026.
Starting April 1, 2025, employers will also be required to grant four weeks of paid paternity leave to fathers. Wong emphasized the need to break traditional gender roles, where mothers are often seen as the primary caregivers. “Women today have every opportunity to excel in their careers, and it is not fair for them to carry a heavier load of caregiving and housework responsibilities,” he stated. Fathers, therefore, must take on a larger role in parenting.
With these adjustments, parents of Singaporean children will be entitled to a total of 30 weeks of mandatory paid parental leave, an increase from the current 18 weeks. The policy aims to better support families, helping parents balance their professional and caregiving responsibilities.
However, the policy’s implementation will present challenges for businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). According to the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), these companies may face operational difficulties in replacing staff who take extended leave, including additional costs for recruitment, training, and managing the transitions.
To mitigate some of these concerns, a new notice requirement will be introduced, requiring parents to inform employers at least four weeks in advance before taking parental leave.
