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What good is that to us as tax paying suckers? How does that benefit you & me?
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_578894.html
Sep 15, 2010
$191m maternity leave payout
By Vanessa Jalleh
The Government paid out $191 million in maternity leave benefits in the last two years as part of effort to encourage more Singaporean women to have babies. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW
THE Government paid out $191 million in maternity leave benefits in the last two years as part of effort to encourage more Singaporean women to have babies.
Last year, about 15,000 working women gained from the payout of $126 million, much higher than the $65 million disbursed in 2008.
This was due to the four extra weeks of maternity leave and extension to include the fifth child and above in maternity benefits since Oct 2008.
The Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan revealed these figures in Parliament on Wednesday when replying to a question for Jurong GRC MP Halimah Yacob.
The majority of the 15,000 women (63 per cent) who benefitted were aged 30 to 39 at the point of delivery, while another one-third (34 per cent) were 20-29 years. By educational profile, 44 per cent were degree-holders, 31 per cent had post-secondary education while 24 per cent had secondary or below education.
Asked if the maternity leave perks could be extended to more working women, Dr Balakrishnan said he was in favour of 'helping working women reduce the opportunity cost of having children.'
But he added: 'In doing so we must make sure that the employability of women, as well as viability of businesses are not unduly affected.
'Given the significant enhancements made to the Marriage and Parenthood measures in October 2008, we should allow more time to assess the impact of these measures. The Government would review if, how and when further enhancements can be made later on.'
A similar suggestion was made by Seah Kian Peng in Parliament in January this year.
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_578894.html
Sep 15, 2010
$191m maternity leave payout
By Vanessa Jalleh
The Government paid out $191 million in maternity leave benefits in the last two years as part of effort to encourage more Singaporean women to have babies. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW
THE Government paid out $191 million in maternity leave benefits in the last two years as part of effort to encourage more Singaporean women to have babies.
Last year, about 15,000 working women gained from the payout of $126 million, much higher than the $65 million disbursed in 2008.
This was due to the four extra weeks of maternity leave and extension to include the fifth child and above in maternity benefits since Oct 2008.
The Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan revealed these figures in Parliament on Wednesday when replying to a question for Jurong GRC MP Halimah Yacob.
The majority of the 15,000 women (63 per cent) who benefitted were aged 30 to 39 at the point of delivery, while another one-third (34 per cent) were 20-29 years. By educational profile, 44 per cent were degree-holders, 31 per cent had post-secondary education while 24 per cent had secondary or below education.
Asked if the maternity leave perks could be extended to more working women, Dr Balakrishnan said he was in favour of 'helping working women reduce the opportunity cost of having children.'
But he added: 'In doing so we must make sure that the employability of women, as well as viability of businesses are not unduly affected.
'Given the significant enhancements made to the Marriage and Parenthood measures in October 2008, we should allow more time to assess the impact of these measures. The Government would review if, how and when further enhancements can be made later on.'
A similar suggestion was made by Seah Kian Peng in Parliament in January this year.