In Singapore, eligible working mothers are entitled to 16 weeks of government-paid maternity leave under the Child Development Co-Savings Act. The first four weeks are taken before the expected date of delivery, and the remaining 12 weeks are taken after. The government reimburses employers for the maternity leave pay up to a capped amount.

Statutory entitlement

16 weeks of government-paid maternity leave. Paid at the employee's gross rate of pay, capped at S$10,000 per four-week period. The government reimburses employers for the maternity leave pay.

Eligibility

Working mothers must have worked for their employer for at least three months before the child's birth, and the child must be a Singapore citizen. The mother must be legally married to the child's father (or the father has acknowledged paternity).

Employer obligations

  • Grant 16 weeks of maternity leave to eligible working mothers.
  • Pay the employee's gross rate of pay during maternity leave.
  • Claim government reimbursement for maternity leave pay through the Government-Paid Maternity Benefit (GPMB) scheme.
  • Maintain the employee's position and all employment terms during maternity leave.
  • Not dismiss the employee during maternity leave or during the period when she is eligible for maternity leave.
  • Allow the mother to take the first four weeks before the expected delivery date and the remaining 12 weeks after.

Employee rights

  • Right to 16 weeks of government-paid maternity leave.
  • Right to be paid at the gross rate of pay during maternity leave (capped at S$10,000 per four-week period).
  • Right to return to the same position after maternity leave.
  • Right to one hour per day for nursing for the first 12 months after return to work.

Common pitfalls

  • Not claiming government reimbursement — employers must apply for GPMB through the Ministry of Manpower or the IRAS portal to recover maternity leave payments.
  • Confusing the citizenship requirement — the child must be a Singapore citizen for the mother to be eligible for government-paid maternity leave.
  • Dismissing an employee during maternity leave — this is prohibited and may result in penalties under the Child Development Co-Savings Act.

How maternity leave is structured

Maternity leave is 16 weeks: the first four weeks can be taken before the expected date of delivery, and the remaining 12 weeks are taken after the birth. The mother must take at least one week of leave after the birth.

Government reimbursement

Employers pay the employee during maternity leave and then claim reimbursement from the government through the GPMB scheme. The reimbursement is capped at S$10,000 per four-week period. Employers should claim within three months of the employee's return to work.

Non-citizen children

If the child is not a Singapore citizen, the mother is not eligible for government-paid maternity leave. However, she may still be entitled to unpaid maternity leave or other forms of leave under the Employment Act.

Frequently asked questions

What if the mother is not married to the child's father?

Only legally married mothers are eligible for government-paid maternity leave. Unmarried mothers may be eligible for other forms of leave under their employment contract.

Can the father take paternity leave?

Yes. Eligible fathers are entitled to one week of government-paid paternity leave. This is a separate entitlement from maternity leave.

Can maternity leave be shared with the father?

No. Maternity leave is exclusively for the mother. However, fathers are entitled to paternity leave and shared parental leave (if eligible).

Sources

This page is provided for general guidance and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the cited primary source for current law before making employment decisions.