Parents to get 10 weeks of shared leave for babies born on or after April 1

Together with the government-paid paternity and maternity leave schemes, eligible parents can receive up to 30 weeks of government-paid parental leave in the child’s first year.

The shared paid leave will automatically be equally distributed between both parents, MSF added.

The ministry said the shared parental leave must be taken within 12 months of the child’s birth, and after parents have fully utilised their government-paid maternity or paternity leave.

“Parents may mutually agree to adjust the allocation based on their caregiving needs. They should inform their employers early to facilitate planning and work arrangements,” added the ministry.

If parents are unable to mutually agree on their leave plans, they may take their shared parental leave in a continuous block within the first 26 weeks of the child’s birth, after providing a minimum notice of four weeks, MSF said.

Parents can refer to this guide for more information, while employers can visit this link.