MP Proposes Raising Minimum Leave Days to Address Worker Rest Needs
SINGAPORE: Louis Ng, Member of Parliament (MP) for Nee Soon GRC, has called for an increase in Singapore’s minimum annual leave entitlement, arguing that the current seven days are insufficient for workers’ well-being. During the Budget 2022 debates on March 4, Ng stressed the importance of rest for workers to maintain a balanced and productive work life.
Ng pointed out that many other countries, such as Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia, provide more generous annual leave. In Malaysia, workers are entitled to eight days, while Japan offers ten days of leave annually. Ng also highlighted that these countries tend to offer more paid public holidays than Singapore, which currently provides 11.
The MP argued that raising the minimum annual leave entitlement would not negatively impact employment levels, citing that 47% of employees already receive more than 14 days of leave. He suggested that businesses recognising the value of employee rest would not be adversely affected by such changes. Ng also noted that lower-income workers, who often have more labour-intensive roles, are the ones most in need of additional leave, but they currently have less time off. These workers, he said, typically do not have access to flexible work arrangements (FWAs).
Ng concluded that improving the salaries of low-income workers should go hand-in-hand with increasing their rest time, calling for a balanced approach to worker welfare.
Responding to Ng’s proposal, Minister of State for Manpower Gan Siow Huang acknowledged the validity of the concerns raised but cautioned that increasing leave entitlements should not automatically be the default solution. Gan pointed out that while the government regularly reviews leave provisions, it advocates for flexible work arrangements as a more tailored solution for addressing various individual needs. She also reminded that increasing leave entitlements comes at a cost, which could impact businesses’ ability to grow and create jobs.
Gan addressed other issues raised, such as sick leave for short-term contract employees, encouraging employers to exercise flexibility in granting medical leave before the three-month period. On the topic of childcare sick leave and paternity leave, Ng had previously suggested providing childcare sick leave to all working parents on a per-child basis and promoting more widespread use of paternity leave. Indranee Rajah, Second Minister for Finance, agreed with the need for greater flexibility, emphasising that employers should support fathers taking paternity leave and exercise flexibility in allowing its use.
