Single mothers who have their children out of wedlock will now be entitled to government-paid maternity leave.
That is, if they walk down the aisle with their child's father - soon.
Announcing the changes in the Children Development Co-savings Bill, Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports, said in Parliament yesterday: "As the maternity leave is meant for the mother's physical recuperation and for her to care for and bond with her baby, the leave must be consumed within six months from the child's birth."
As the leave can take effect only on the day that the parents tie the knot, this means that the marriage has to take place within three months of the child's birth, in order for the mother to enjoy the full 12 weeks of leave.
She must also be married to the man who fathered the child.
But it is already a step forward for single mothers. Previously, women had to be married before the child's birth to enjoy the leave.
In 2004, the Government extended maternity leave from eight to 12 weeks. For a mother's first and second births, employers pay for the first eight weeks while the Government reimburses the last four weeks. For the third and fourth births, the Government pays for the entire 12 weeks.
In 2004, there were at least 540 out-of-wedlock births.
However, single mother Ginny Phang, 29, who co-founded the Flyin' Solo support group for unwed mothers, said that stipulating that single mums be married to the father of their child "is as good as not changing the policy".
"If we could have got married, we would have!" she said. "The man could have disappeared. He may not want the baby. Or he may already be married."
The rule is also similarly relaxed for mothers whose children obtain Singapore citizenship within six months of birth. Previously, their children must be citizens at birth.
Explaining the change, Mrs Yu-Foo said: "The government-paid maternity leave is an incentive scheme for intact families to have children who are Singaporean citizens.
"Whether the child is a citizen immediately at birth or shortly thereafter is inconsequential."
Adoptive mothers will also find it easier to obtain adoption leave. About 700 adoptions take place each year.
"The government-paid maternity leave is an incentive scheme for intact families to have children who are Singaporean citizens. Whether the child is a citizen immediately at birth or shortly thereafter is inconsequential." MRS YU-FOO YEE SHOON, on giving maternity leave to mums whose children get Singapore citizenship within six months of birth
Under the existing law, an adoptive mother can take up to four weeks of government-paid adoption leave.
But she can do so only after getting the adoption order. And a foreign-born child must also have obtained Singapore citizenship. "Therefore, few mothers qualified for the leave," said Mrs Yu-Foo.
Now, the adoption leave can start from the time the court appoints the director of social welfare in the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports as guardian-in-adoption of the child. As for foreign children, it can begin when a dependant's pass has been issued.
"This is almost the starting point where the child is physically with the adoptive family," said Mrs Yu-Foo.
She also announced a third policy change, which will allow unused Children Development Account funds to flow through to other accounts in the child's name, and not just to his Edusave account.
While applauding the moves, four MPs wanted pro-family policy changes to go further.
Ms Ellen Lee (Sembawang GRC) wanted adoption leave, which now depends on the goodwill of the employer, to be made compulsory.
Mr Zaqy Mohamad (Hong Kah GRC) and Mr Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade GRC) wanted benefits extended to fathers too.
Mrs Yu-Foo said it was up to the National Population Committee to decide on paternity benefits.
