Changing workplace norms ‘much harder’ than financial steps in supporting parenthood: Indranee

Minister Indranee Rajah says shifting workplace attitudes is a tougher challenge than providing financial support for parents. She was speaking after the National Day Rally announced new childcare leave, preschool subsidies and other measures. The full report of the Marriage and Parenthood Reset Wor

SINGAPORE – Changing workplace attitudes and practices towards working parents is a key challenge in Singapore’s push to become more family-friendly, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah said on Monday (24 Aug).

Speaking to CNA a day after Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced a range of measures at the National Day Rally, Ms Indranee said the government can control financial resources, but “the much harder part to do is changing mindsets and attitudes”. Workplace norms, culture and practices are being examined as part of a wider review by the Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup, which is due to release its full report in early 2027.

Ms Indranee described the measures announced on Sunday as the “first wave” of that review. They include more childcare leave, lower preschool fees and greater financial support for families. Each parent will get eight days of childcare leave per year for one child, 10 days for two children and 12 days for three or more children, covering Singaporean children aged 12 and below. The government will fully reimburse employers for this leave up to the existing reimbursement cap, whereas currently employers bear the cost of the first three of six days for parents with children aged six and below.

Ms Indranee acknowledged that providing more leave creates practical challenges for employers, as different industries have different manpower and operational needs. She suggested companies redesign jobs, use temporary workers or adopt flexible arrangements beyond working from home. “Time spent away does mean that productivity will be affected unless somebody else steps in,” she said. “We have to design workplaces in a way that allows for somebody to step out to take leave and yet have that work addressed.”

On whether the new measures are effective, Ms Indranee said success cannot be measured by the total fertility rate (TFR) alone. Singapore’s TFR fell to a record low of 0.87 in 2025. Over time, she said, signs of success would include Singaporeans feeling more reassured about having children and workplace cultures becoming more supportive of families.

Ms Indranee also said the government is looking at further support for singles, especially in housing. The income ceiling for eligible single HDB home buyers aged 35 and above was raised from S$7,000 to S$8,000 on Monday. Support for those facing fertility issues, as well as education, competitiveness and stress, are also being examined as part of the marriage and parenthood review.