AWARE calls for paternity leave to be mandated by law

QX179R SG

SINGAPORE: The Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) called for the government to make several policy changes to support gender equality and improved parenting leave - at a time when Singapore's total fertility rate (TFR) has dropped to an all-time low.

In particular, it asked for paternity leave to be mandated by law.

AWARE suggested that a "parenting present" of S$4,000 be offered to couples where the father opts for parental leave.

AWARE executive director Corinna Lim said: "We have looked at studies in other countries, and we have found that this kind of parenting leave is quite a good idea and does promote gender equality but only if there is an incentive for the fathers to take the leave".

The organisation said it finds support in the views expressed by about 1,000 working parents in a survey conducted recently.

When asked whether they thought paternity leave should be made compulsory, about nine in 10 said 'yes'.

Most said paternity leave would allow fathers to be more involved in parenting.

Ms Lim said: "(The) first significant finding is that 91 per cent of respondents want to have mandated paternity leave -- (from a ) minimum of six days up to as (many) as 14 days.

"Our recommendation is that paternity leave be mandated (with) two weeks (of) paid leave -- the leave payment to be shared by (the) state and employer(s)".

Nearly six out of 10 respondents would also like the last four weeks of maternity leave to be transferable from mother to father.

Meanwhile, nine out of 10 felt single and unwed parents should get the same childcare and infant care benefits as married parents.

AWARE said two important factors in trying to reverse the declining TFR are better support for parenting responsibilities and policies that promote gender equality.

The organisation said it felt that Singapore's current parenting leave policies -- where new mothers are given four months maternity leave and none for new fathers -- reinforce gender stereotypes of women as caregivers and men as providers.

The organisation said such policies entrench gender inequality and need to be changed if Singapore hopes to reverse the declining birth rate trend.

In an email response, GPC chair for the Community Development, Youth and Sports Seah Kian Peng said he is supportive of the proposals for paternity leave to be be mandated and maternity leave to be transferable.

He said the government should be prepared to try more options to address the low birth rate and not be deterred by any administrative challenges.

Meanwhile, Centre for Fathering executive director Wong Suen Kwong said the centre welcomes any initiative that would facilitate the involvement of fathers in the early stages of their babies' lives and for wives to feel supported.

The AWARE-led survey was conducted by final-year Business Studies and Business Information Technology students who are specialising in marketing at Ngee Ann Polytechnic's School of Business & Accountancy.

The survey was conducted between October 2010 and January 2011.

-CNA/fa/wk

QX179R SG

THE Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) is calling for five policy changes to help the falling birth rate here.

The association wants paternity leave of two weeks to be made mandatory.

It is also for converting the final month of the existing four-month maternity leave into a parental one.

Aware's call comes in the wake of Singapore's fertility rate being at a record low.

In 2010, it plummeted to 1.16, a far cry from the replacement rate of 2.1.

A recent study of 1,000 young working parents commissioned by Aware, found that nine in 10 support compulsory paternity leave, while over half want the option to transfer leave from mum to dad.

QX179R SG

MORE than 1,000 Singaporeans responded to an online poll conducted by The Straits Times, giving a mixed response to five policy changes recommended by Aware on paternity leave recently.

The gender equality advocacy group's call earlier this week came in the wake of Singapore's fertility rate dropping to a record low.

About 1,100 readers shared their views with us on whether Aware's recommendations are viable.

Recommendation 1:

Make paid paternity leave of two weeks mandatory, with the cost shared between the employer and the state.

Percentage of respondents who believe this will work - 66%

Featured comments:

'Most men's thinking is still very traditional. Besides, they may view this as a hindrance to their work. If a couple were to work in same company, it will be a burden to the company as it means 2 staff members are down.'

'This will burden the country and company. The employer has no obligation to pay. Why not mandate to revert the employer CPF to 20% instead, which will prove more effective?'

Recommendation 2:

Convert the 4th month of maternity leave into 'parental leave' to be taken by either parent, with the state sharing the cost with the employer when the father takes this leave.

Percentage of respondents who believe this will work - 55%

Featured comments:

'Paternity leave should be made separate and distinct from maternity leave. Won't it be a step backwards for maternity leave benefits if the 4th month is utilised in such a way?'

'Long-term solutions are needed. These one-off baits are just temporary. Parenting is a lifetime commitment, so long-term help for families should be looked into...'

Recommendation 3:

Offer a 'parenting present' of $4,000 to couples where the father takes the 4th month of parental leave.

Percentage of respondents who believe it will work - 54%

Featured comments:

'The father will take the leave for the sake of $4000, but whether he will stay at home to take care of the child is another question. Will he simply leave the child with the granny or maid?'

'Is this supposed to encourage taking the 4th month as parental leave? Think about what's the objective of granting the additional maternity leave to start with. Do not confuse the original intentions.'

Recommendation 4:

Convert the currently mandated 6 days of paid childcare leave into dependent's leave, with 'dependents' including older children and parents.

Percentage of respondents who believe this will work - 64%

Featured comments:

'This shows an understanding that everyone has dependents, not just those people with kids.'

'This is a benefit for parents with young children but perhaps for children from 7 years up to 12 years old, parents can also utilise such 'childcare leave' or flexible time-off for children when they fall sick.'

Recommendation 5:

Extend to unwed parents the same parenting leave benefits enjoyed by married parents.

Percentage of respondents who believe it will work - 53%

Featured comments

'We know the government is not encouraging single parenthood. But like every developed country, Singapore has its single parents and we should learn to acknowledge them soon. Rather have single parents who are responsible, than have problematic couples who end up in divorce and a traumatic child.'

'This addresses only a small percentage. And are you encouraging people to have kids and not go into the commitment of marriage? This will give rise to social issues in the future.'

-- ST

Fcukpap SG

i like that most important statement....

AWARE said two important factors in trying to reverse the declining TFR are better support for parenting responsibilities and policies that promote gender equality.

Fcukpap SG

all my posts have been fighting for this little ray of light for men

Fcukpap SG

now we need more conscientious and real educated women to join in their efforts for their men

Fcukpap SG

a happy but dissapointed fact that the statement comes so late when all programmes to boost up marriages and fertility has failed....because as i have mentioned.....

yin-yang harmony must be sustained...it cannot be lopsided...

but the system would rather voice it out thru AWARE than outwardly for men...thats not very brave....the system wants women to voice out than to make that sensitive move...

Fcukpap SG

when will you change for the balanced perception?

Fcukpap SG

so we (men) cannot change ours...if u dun change yours