Maternity Leave in Singapore: A Guide for Foreign Workers

For expectant mothers working in Singapore, understanding your entitlement to maternity leave can be a crucial aspect of planning for the arrival of your child. Whether you are a foreigner or a permanent resident, the city-state provides specific guidelines regarding maternity leave, which are important for you to be aware of. 

Let’s break down the maternity leave eligibility and entitlement for working mothers in Singapore, including Government-Paid Maternity Leave, based on the criteria outlined by the Child Development Co-Savings Act.

Maternity Leave Eligibility and Entitlement

As a working mother in Singapore, your maternity leave entitlement depends on several factors, primarily whether your child is a Singapore citizen. To determine your eligibility and entitlement, consider the following statements:

1. My child is a Singapore citizen.
2. I am legally married to the child’s father.
3. My child is born or has an estimated delivery date (EDD) on or after 1 January 2017.
4. I have worked for my employer or have been self-employed for at least 3 continuous months before the birth of my child.

If you can affirm all of these statements, congratulations, you are eligible for Government-Paid Maternity Leave as per the Child Development Co-Savings Act.

16 Weeks of Maternity Leave

You are eligible for 16 weeks of paid maternity leave if you meet the following requirements:

• Your child is a Singapore citizen. If your child holds Singaporean citizenship, you can take longer maternity leave.
• For employees: You must have served your employer for at least three months before your child’s birth. This demonstrates your commitment to your job and entitles you to a longer maternity leave.
• For self-employed: If you are self-employed, you are still entitled to 16 weeks of Government-Paid Maternity Leave, provided you have been engaged in your work for at least three continuous months before your child’s birth and have suffered a loss of income during the maternity leave period.
• Notice to the employer: You should give your employer at least one week’s notice before going on maternity leave and inform them as soon as possible of your delivery. Failing to do so might result in receiving only half the payment during maternity leave unless you have a valid reason for not providing the notice.

Understanding your eligibility and entitlement to maternity leave in Singapore is essential for both foreigner and permanent resident working mothers. It ensures that you can take the necessary time off to care for your child during the critical postpartum period without undue financial stress. 

Remember, your rights and benefits can vary, so it’s advisable to communicate with your employer or consult the Ministry of Manpower for the most up-to-date information and guidance. Parenthood is a significant journey, and Singapore’s maternity leave policies are designed to support you every step of the way.