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Acknowledging the varied caregiving needs and diverse demands involved, the Ministry said it plans to research and continue exploring ways to better help working caregivers.
Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) addressed a Parliamentary query on caregiving leave this Wednesday (5 July 2023), wherein Member of Parliament Leon Perera asked if the government will consider introducing compulsory caregiving leave for private sector companies.
To that, the Ministry shared that the government works closely with tripartite partners to provide a wide range of support for workers who manage both caregiving and work responsibilities. In order to meet the caregiving needs of employees with children, all businesses are obligated by law to offer paid maternity and paternity leave, as well as childcare and unpaid infant care leave.
In efforts to support workers with additional caregiving needs, such as looking for elderly or disabled family members, some businesses have voluntarily provided various types of paid leave, such as parental care leave and family care leave, MOM added.
Apart from the above, some employers have also adopted flexible work arrangements (FWAs), which let workers control their work hours, location, and workload to suit their individual needs, as a more sustainable and adaptable type of workplace support. In line with this, and with providing caregiving leave, the tripartite partners currently have in place the Tripartite Standard on Unpaid Leave for Unexpected Care Needs and the Tripartite Standard on Work-Life Harmony, which employers are encouraged to follow, the Ministry noted.
The Ministry acknowledged that the variety of caregiving needs and caregiving duties and methods continue to change and evolve, just as the demands for caregiving are diverse. "By enlisting the assistance of private sector businesses and maintaining regular contact with our tripartite partners, MOM plans to research and continue to explore ways to better help working caregivers."
Additionally, it highlighted that the government will continue to evaluate and strengthen other support for working caregivers, such as by enhancing the caregiving support infrastructure, financial support, and fostering a more family-friendly culture.
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