Parliament Member Louis Ng is raising to the government – more childcare sick leaves for all working parents and helping workers in low-income jobs take their paternity leave.
In this article you will read the following:
- Louis Ng is pushing for more in-depth childcare leave for all working parents
- Benefits of taking a paternity leave
- What the current law is on childcare leaves in Singapore
Image courtesy: Stock
PM Louis Ng pushes for childcare sick leave for all working parents
Parents have the hardest jobs – taking care of our children is the most exhausting task there is, yet we do this out of pure love. Albeit, there has to be a law where being good parents to our children is recognised and not taken against us in our career.
This is what parliament member Louis Ng is asking the government to act on. Last Wednesday, March 2nd, during the Committee of Supply 2022 debate, Parliament Member Louis Ng said the government should provide more in-depth childcare sick and paternity leave.
“I know I sound like a broken record, as here I am again, asking for the government to provide childcare sick leave. Why? Working parents need this, especially during this pandemic.”
Our frontline essential workers and those who cannot work from home need this, especially during this pandemic,” he said.
Childcare sick leave on a per child basis
Mr Ng asked if the government would be willing to consider providing better childcare sick leave to every working parent and this request is on a per-child basis. He even compared the benefits that civil servants are getting compared to other workers in the private sector.
“The government does not disagree with me when it comes to childcare sick leave. The public services already gives offices childcare sick leave and it’s on a per child basis. Civil servants are also using this childcare sick leave.
If the government feels that childcare sick leave is important for the people who work for us, then why is it not important for the people we serve? Let’s level this playing field,” he stated.
PM Ng also discouraged the thinking that having flexible work arrangement justifies not providing childcare sick leave.
“If this reason is true, then why do civil servants who have flexible work arrangement also have childcare sick leave?”
Parliament Member Louis Ng wished for the government to consider his plea of childcare sick leave for all working parents, especially for low-income earners.
“Will the government consider providing childcare sick leave to all working parents on a per child basis. I’ve raised this issue many times and I hope the reply won’t be the same again,” he said.
Paternity leave
The politician then moved to the topic of paternity leave. First, he highlighted the benefits of taking paternity leave according to a recent study.
“Paternity leave is important for our nation. An NUS study found that children whose fathers take paternity leave are significantly less likely to have behavioral issues.
The study also found that these families have less internal conflicts, low likelihood of maternal depression, more marital satisfaction and more father-child closeness. The case for paternity leave cannot be stronger,” stressed Mr Ng.
He then pointed out that while taking paternity leaves show a lot of benefits for the family, the study revealed an unfortunate reality about fathers who are in low-income jobs.
“However, the study also found that fathers in more labour-intensive jobs such as machine operators and cleaners were half as likely to take paternity leave as fathers working as legislators, senior officials and managers,” he said.
Image Source: Pexels
Help dads use their paternity leaves
Moreover, Mr Louis Ng requested that a study on the barriers to taking paternity leave for low-income workers and look into policies to increase its usage, as well as the ways to get employers to support paternity leave be made. This is to encourage fathers, especially those with low-paying jobs to take time off to care for their child.
“We need to do more to help low-income fathers take their paternity leave. Why should they be denied the time to spend with their babies?
Can the government conduct a targeted study on the barriers to taking paternity leave for lower-income workers?
Look into policies to increase their usage of taking paternity leave and also look into incentivising employers who support their employees to take their paternity leave,” he finished.
ALSO READ:
5 Signs of Parental Burnout and What You Can Do About It, Says Expert
MP Louis Ng calls for more childcare leave for Singapore parents
Singapore Government Considering No-fault Divorce To Make Separation Less Painful
Benefits of childcare leave f0r all working parents
As of writing, the current law states that eligible working parents of Singapore citizen children have the privilege of a 6-day paid childcare leave per year. Parents of non-citizens can get 2 days of childcare leave a year in accordance with the Employment Act.
With the pandemic putting our children’s health more at risk, we cannot help but agree with Mr Louis Ng’s request to the government to consider amending this law making it more beneficial for all working parents.
As much as our sick leaves are meant only when the employee is sick, we cannot help but also use that benefit when one of our children is ill and we need to be there to care for them. So what Parliament Member Louis Ng is pushing forth will definitely be of great help to us parents.
Image Source: Pexels
We’ve come up with a list of benefits of extending child sick leave and further implementing paternity leave for all workers:
-
Less stress and worry for the parents
Every parent or guardian’s utmost and number one priority is his children. If something is bothering his children or making them feel uneasy, they feel double the intensity.
This goes hand in hand with the first one. We will not be able to produce the best and high-quality work outputs if we are not focused because we are busy thinking about our sick child.
-
The benefit of the ill child
A mum or a dad’s care and nurture to their own children is irreplaceable, and no one else can replicate it. Making this law a better one in context will very much also benefit a sick child.
-
Provide assistance in financial matters
Choosing whether to take time off work to care for your sick child or go to work to earn for the family is like being stuck in between a rock and a hard place. Parents, especially those who are in low-income jobs sometimes could not afford to miss work because their family’s sustenance relies heavily on it on a day to day basis.
Getting child care sick leave will help the employee focus on taking care of her child without worrying whether it will cost her a day’s work.
At the end of the day, we want nothing else but to live in a place where our struggles and sacrifices as a parent are recognised and taken into consideration. What Parliament Member Louis Ng is suggesting will very much help each and every working mum and dad out in Singapore.
If the government heeds Mr Ng’s plea and truly acts upon this, the positive impact will not only benefit parents all over Singapore but of course also every child as well.
