Proposal for Partial Government-Paid Maternity Leave to be Granted Where Parents and Child Are Singapore Permanent Residents

62 Mr Lee Hong Chuang asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance whether the Government can consider providing Government-Paid Maternity Leave for the last four weeks out of the 12 weeks of maternity leave for parents who are both Singapore Permanent Residents (SPRs) and whose child is not a Singapore citizen but a SPR.

Ms Indranee Rajah: We generally differentiate Government benefits and subsidies such that Singapore Citizens receive a higher level of support than Singapore Permanent Residents, including in areas such as parenthood, housing, healthcare and education. Such differentiation reflects the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship, and citizens' commitment to Singapore.

Accordingly, eligibility for Government-Paid Leave schemes is contingent on the child being a Singapore Citizen.