Government-Paid Maternity Leave

Starting form 1 October 2004, maternity Leave will be extended from the current 8 weeks to 12 weeks, starting 1 October 2004, for all births.

The employer will continue to pay for the first 8 weeks of maternity leave. The additional 4 weeks will be funded by the Government. Each confinement is capped at $10,000 inclusive of employer's CPF contributions.

For the third and fourth confinements of a married working woman, the Government will fund the full 12 weeks of salary, Each confinement is capped at $30,000 (including employer's CPF contributions).

To claim Government reimbursement for an employee’s maternity leave, the following criteria must be met

	her child must be a Singapore citizen;
	she has fewer than 4 other living children (excludes adopted and step children) at the time of confinement;e
	she is lawfully married to the child’s father; and
	she has served her employer for at least 180 days before the birth of the child.

Those who do not meet the above criteria at the time of the child’s birth but subsequently meet them within 6 months of the child’s birth may proceed with the remaining Government-Paid Maternity Leave upon obtaining their employer’s consent.

The employer will pay the mother the normal salary for the duration of the maternity leave and then claim reimbursement from the Government. Employers can submit their applications online at www.maternityleave.gov.sg.


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