Maternity leave in Singapore

Shaping and caring for your child in the first few years of their life are important. Maternity leave plays a crucial role in giving mothers the time and space they need to recover, bond with their newborn, and adjust to the responsibilities of parenthood. Understanding how maternity leave works helps working mothers make the most of this period without unnecessary confusion.

Eligibility for maternity leave

Working mothers are entitled to the full 16 weeks of Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML) if they meet the following requirements:

1. Their child is a Singapore citizen
2. For employees: they have served their employer for a continuous period of at least 3 months before the birth of their child
3. For self-employed: they have been engaged in their work for at least 3 continuous months and have lost income during their maternity leave period

Benefits provided for maternity leave

If you are eligible for maternity leave, you will then be entitled to 16 weeks of leave.

Start date

The start date can be 4 weeks before your child’s date of birth, or with mutual agreement between employer and employee, between the 28 days before your child’s date of birth and your child’s date of birth. After deciding to take your maternity leave, you will be given 8 weeks (taken in one continuous block).

End date

The end date will be no later than 12 months from your child’s date of birth (inclusive of date of birth). The default arrangement after your first 8 weeks is to immediately follow-up with 8 more weeks (taken in one continuous block). Alternatively, with mutual agreement between employer and employee, the 8 weeks can be taken in one continuous block or non-continuously within 12 months from your child’s date of birth (inclusive of date of birth).

For your 1st and 2nd child order, the employer will pay for the 1st to 8th week of your GPML, at your gross rate of pay; and the government will reimburse for the 9th to 16th week of your GPML, capped at $10000 per 4 weeks or a total of $20000 per child order.

For your 3rd and subsequent child order, the government will reimburse for all 16 weeks of your GPML, capped at $10000 per 4 weeks or a total of $40000 per child order.

Application process

For employees

1. You should give your employer at least 4 weeks’ notice before going on maternity leave, and inform them as soon as possible of your confinement
2. Submit the declaration form (https://file.go.gov.sg/gpmd1.pdf) to your employer with all necessary supporting documents at least 4 weeks before the start of your GPML. Your employer may also use its own declaration form or system for you to declare your eligibility.
3. Apple for GPML according to your employer’s leave application procedures.

For self-employed

1. Record your GPML dates
2. Submit your claim online via the Government-Paid Leave Portal (https://www.profamilyleave.msf.gov.sg/login?redirect=eservices/submit-a-claim) after you have commenced the government-paid portion of GPML.
   • You do not need to fully complete the Government-paid portion of GPML before you submit a claim for payment.
   • Submissions should be made no later than 3 months after the last day of your GPML.

Conclusion

Maternity leave is crucial to mothers. By making use of the Government-Paid Maternity Leave scheme, working mothers can focus both on their own well-being and their child’s first months, without worrying about income or job security. If you require professional guidance in this regard, do contact the Advomi team, where we have a team of qualified lawyers to assist you in your operations.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Please seek professional advice for your specific situation.