Maternity Leave in Singapore: A Guide for Working Expecting Mums

How long is paid maternity leave in Singapore? When can you start your maternity leave? Who’s eligible to apply? This article explains everything you need to know about the process. So, let’s get started and ensure you’re well-prepared for this important chapter in your life

Imagine this—you’re only a few weeks away from meeting your precious baby. But right now, you’re feeling the heaviness of being 36 weeks pregnant. You’ve gained some extra weight, making it hard to move around comfortably. Restlessness and discomfort are your constant companions.

Your due date is at the end of September, and while you’re excited about it, there’s one thing that’s bothering you.

Every night, you wake up every hour, worried about how you’ll get out of bed the next day because it’s a work day.

But don’t worry; there’s good news on the horizon. Soon, you can take maternity leave and get the rest you deserve..

How Long is Maternity Leave in Singapore

Being a working mother comes with certain entitlements, including maternity leave provisions.

In Singapore, the duration of your maternity leave depends on various factors, such as your child’s citizenship and other criteria.

If your child is a Singapore citizen, you are eligible for either 16 weeks of Government-Paid Maternity Leave or 12 weeks of maternity leave.

To qualify for the 16-week paid leave, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Firstly, your child holds Singapore citizenship.
2. Secondly, if you are an employee, you must have served your employer continuously for at least three months before giving birth.
3. Lastly, if you are self-employed, you must have been actively engaged in your work for at least three consecutive months and experienced a loss of income during the maternity leave period.

To ensure you receive the full payment during your maternity leave, giving your employer at least one week’s notice before commencing your leave is important.

Additionally, you should inform your employer promptly about your delivery.

Failure to provide adequate notice may result in receiving only half of the payment unless you have a valid reason for the delay.

Who Can File for Maternity Leave

Can permanent residents (PR) and foreigners also file for maternity leave in their companies?

PR maternity leave and maternity leave for foreigners in Singapore

According to the MoM, regardless of your nationality, you are entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave if the Employment Act covers you and you have worked for your employer for at least three months.

Who is eligible to apply?

If you meet the following criteria, you are eligible for 16 weeks of paid maternity leave:

• Firstly, eligibility for maternity leave in Singapore requires that your child is a Singaporean.
• Secondly, for employees, you must have worked for your employer for at least three months prior to the birth of your child.
• Thirdly, if you are self-employed, you must have worked for at least three months in a row and have experienced a loss of income during the maternity leave period.
• Lastly, you have to give your employer at least one week’s notice before going on maternity leave and inform them of your pregnancy as soon as possible.

  Failure to provide adequate notice may result in being entitled to only half of the pay during maternity leave unless you have a valid reason for not giving the notice.

During the leave period, firstly, your employer will pay your regular monthly salary.

Secondly, they can seek government reimbursement under the Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML) programme.

By sharing parental leave, you may be able to share one week of your maternity leave with your husband.

Shared parental leave

You can currently apply as a working father to share up to 4 weeks of your wife’s 16 weeks of Government-Paid Maternity Leave, subject to your wife’s agreement.

If you are a working father, including self-employed fathers, you are eligible for shared parental leave if you meet the following criteria:

• Firstly, your child must be a Singaporean to be eligible for government-paid maternity leave (GPML).
• Secondly, the mother of the child is entitled to GPML.
• Lastly, you must be legally married to the child’s mother to qualify for GPML.

How Many Days of Maternity Leave in Singapore?

Source: iStock

If the child is Singaporean

If her child is a Singaporean, she is entitled to the maternity leave listed below. This is in accordance with the Child Development Co-Savings Act and is based on the following circumstances:

• For her 1^st and 2^nd child, the government will cover the 9^th to 16^th week of her maternity leave, up to a maximum of $20,000 per child.
• For her 3^rd and subsequent child, the government will cover all 16 weeks of her maternity leave, up to a maximum of $40,000 per child.

If the child is adopted

What if her child is adopted or born somewhere other than Singapore?

The child is now considered a non-Singaporean. In this case, the employee is entitled to the following maternity leave period.

Stepchildren and children adopted out before the child’s birth or FIA (i.e. formal intent to adopt) are not eligible or entitled to both Singaporean and non-Singaporean children.

Mothers with stillborn children who are Singapore citizens may still be eligible for GPML if their circumstances meet the requirements.

If she does not meet the GPML eligibility requirements, she may be eligible for benefits through the Government-Paid Maternity Benefit (GPMB) scheme.

Other factors to consider for the working mother:

1. Twins or triplets will be considered a single delivery. Employers are not required to provide double maternity benefits.
2. For premature births, her maternity leave should begin on the date of her child’s birth or earlier if she and her employer have reached an agreement.
3. If a working mother becomes ill while on maternity leave, she is not entitled to paid sick leave during that time.

Special Cases of Maternity Leave Eligibility

Maternity leave entitlements may differ in certain circumstances, such as:

• Firstly, in the case of twins or triplets, they will be considered as a single delivery, meaning there will be no double or triple maternity benefits.
• Secondly, if the child is born prematurely, the mother is entitled to 16 weeks of maternity leave, which can begin either on the child’s due date or on a date agreed upon with her employer.
• In the unfortunate event of a stillborn child, the mother is eligible for complete maternity leave.
• It’s important to note that if a mother miscarries or has an abortion, she is not eligible for maternity leave. Instead, she would need to take sick paid leave.
• Lastly, mothers who fall ill during their maternity leave are not eligible for paid sick leave.

Hospitalisation Leave Before Maternity Leave

In some cases, especially in high-risk pregnancies, you are entitled to have a hospitalisation leave apart from your maternity leave.

Additionally, if your pregnancy needs to be monitored closely and you need to be admitted to the hospital a few weeks before your due date, your doctor can provide you with the necessary documents to go on Hospitalisation Leave.

When To Start Maternity Leave in Singapore

If the mum-to-be is eligible for maternity leave, she can begin four weeks before the due date and no later than the due date. Furthermore, she can only take maternity leave within 12 months of her child’s birth date, including the date of birth.

According to the Ministry of Manpower (MoM) website:

“An eligible employee is entitled to absent herself from work four weeks immediately before and twelve weeks immediately after delivery, totaling 16 weeks.

Where there is a mutual agreement with her employer, an employee can take the last eight weeks (9th to 16th week) of maternity leave flexibly over a 12-month period from the child’s birth.

The number of days of maternity leave that can be taken flexibly is equivalent to eight weeks’ worth of working days, up to a maximum of 48 days.”

Image Source: Shutterstock

How To Apply for Maternity Leave in Singapore?

For employees

1. Inform your employer about your leave plans as soon as possible so that they can verify your eligibility and make alternative work arrangements.

   The working mother must give her employer at least one week’s notice before going on maternity leave and must notify them of her delivery as soon as possible.

   Otherwise, she is only entitled to half of the maternity leave pay unless she has a compelling reason for failing to provide timely notice.

   She should also reach an agreement with her employer on how and when she will take the leave.

2. Submit the declaration form (GPML1) to your employer with all necessary supporting documents at least one week before the start of your GPML, or within one month of your child’s birth if this is not possible.

   For you to declare your eligibility, your employer may use its own declaration form or system.

3. Apply for GPML using your company’s leave application procedures.

Self-Employed Maternity Leave

1. Keep a personal diary of her maternity leave dates.

2. Submit her claim online through the Government-Paid Leave (GPL) Portal no later than three months after the end of her maternity leave.

3. Log in to GPL Portal to check the status of her application. Her application will be processed, and she will be notified. It’s a good idea to keep in mind the service standards for the processing time at the step, which is to expect a processing time of 14 weeks from the day all required information is received.

The government will reimburse her for the days she is on maternity leave in this case (up to 8 weeks for 1st and 2nd child orders and 16 weeks for 3rd child orders onwards). Her Notice of Assessment from the Singapore Inland Revenue Authority (IRAS) will calculate this.

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Planning Maternity Leave in Singapore

You can take your maternity leave all at once or spread it out over a 12-month period. You should work out a solution with your employer that meets both of your needs.

Maternity Leave Calculator

You can plan your vacation around the following factors:

Flexible leave example

The flexible portion of maternity leave for a 16-week entitlement is calculated as follows:

If the employee works five days per week, the number of maternity leave days she can take on a flexible basis is:

8 weeks x 5 days = 40 working days

If the employee takes two days of maternity leave per week, the 40 days of flexible maternity leave will be used up in 20 weeks:

40 days / two maternity leave days per week = 20 weeks

As mentioned earlier, maternity leave is an entitlement for employees and self-employed women who meet the criteria.

So if you have any questions regarding how to file for maternity leave, do not hesitate to consult the HR person in your office about it. 

Things to Accomplish Before the End of Your Maternity Leave

Preparing for the arrival of your baby involves more than just getting the nursery ready. Before the end of your maternity leave, make sure to complete these essential tasks to ensure a smooth transition back to work and a well-prepared start to motherhood:

• Consider starting your maternity leave before your baby arrives to rest, have personal time, or spend time with your firstborn.
• Choose a maternity leave arrangement, whether default, mutual agreement, or flexi leave. 
• Take time to brainstorm and choose a baby name.
• Evaluate the possibility of extending your maternity leave after your baby is born and explore options like flexi-work arrangements.
• Compare the cost of infant care or childcare with your salary.
• Determine the best return date to work.
• Seek advice from colleagues who have been on maternity leave before.
• Inquire about any company-sponsored parenthood packages that may be available.
• Consider paternity leave and shared parental leave options.
• Check eligibility for shared parental leave and consider having the father settle the baby into childcare for a smooth transition back to work.

A Rewarding Journey for Expecting Mums

In conclusion, as you embark on your journey into motherhood, it is crucial to understand the intricacies of maternity leave in Singapore.

Armed with insider secrets, valuable tips, and insightful information in this article, you are well-equipped to make the most of your maternity leave experience.

Moreover, remember to familiarise yourself with the eligibility criteria. Also, be aware of the duration of your leave and ensure proper communication with your employer.

By doing so, you can confidently navigate the process and maximise your benefits.

Additionally, take advantage of the available resources and support systems, both online and offline.

Connect with other expecting mums, share experiences, and gather further insights to enhance your maternity leave journey.

Furthermore, maternity leave in Singapore is not merely a period of rest and recovery. Basically, it presents a unique opportunity to bond with your baby, prioritise self-care, and embrace the joys and challenges of motherhood.

Hence, seize this precious time, cherish every moment, and create beautiful memories with your little one.

In conclusion, we wish you a smooth and fulfilling maternity leave journey filled with love, joy, and precious moments that will stay with you forever.

Remember, you’ve got this, mum!

Image source: iStock

Updates by Matt Doctor

Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.