Government efforts to encourage self-employed parents to claim childcare leave benefits remain ongoing.
SINGAPORE – Despite being eligible for government-paid childcare leave, fewer than a fifth of self-employed parents claimed the benefits between 2019 and 2022. Out of approximately 31,100 self-employed parents eligible each year, only 5,400 submitted claims for government-paid childcare leave annually.
The benefits offer up to six days of leave for parents with children under seven years old, with extended leave of two days for parents with children between seven and twelve. The reimbursement for self-employed parents can amount to $1,500 for childcare leave and $1,000 for extended leave.
The figures were revealed by Minister for Social and Family Development, Masagos Zulkifli, in response to a parliamentary query from Nominated MP Jean See on November 13. The data showed that only about 1,400 out of 25,300 self-employed parents eligible for extended leave made claims.
In the same period, self-employed mothers claimed an average of 1,000 out of 1,500 eligible maternity leave claims, while 1,200 out of 4,100 self-employed fathers took government-paid paternity leave.
Government initiatives are underway to raise awareness among self-employed parents and freelancers about the childcare leave schemes. The government has partnered with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) to conduct webinars and clinics through its Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit Centre, offering guidance on the claims process.
Masagos Zulkifli emphasized that efforts will continue to increase the uptake of these benefits, ensuring more self-employed parents are aware and make use of the available support.
