Law increases shared parental and mandatory paternity leave

It will start on 1 April 2025.

The parliament passed a law that will increase the amount of shared parental leave and mandatory paternity leave, starting 1 April 2025.

The new Shared Parental Leave scheme will allow parents of children born on or after 1 April 2025 to share up to 10 weeks of paid leave. 

This will be rolled out in two phases, starting with six weeks from 1 April 2025. It will be increased to 10 weeks in the following year. 

Eligible fathers of Singaporean children born from 1 April 2025 will also be entitled to four weeks of mandatory Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPPL).  

Previously, fathers enjoyed two weeks of GPPL, and may extend up to two weeks at the discretion of their companies.

At present, it is illegal to dismiss female employees on maternity leave. The new amendment extended this protection to fathers and adoptive parents, making it illegal for employers to dismiss employees on GPPL or Adoption Leave (AL).

Moreover, the measure clarified that the reimbursement limit of $2,500 per week will be applied on a "per-parent" basis. Those working multiple jobs may take a paid leave from each employer, but the total reimbursement across all employments cannot exceed $2,500 per week.