- The child (including legally adopted children or stepchildren) is below seven years of age on or after Oct 31 last year;

- The child is a Singapore citizen;

- The child's parents are lawfully married (including divorced or widowed parents); and

The employee has worked for the employer for at least 11 calendar months; or if the parent is self-employed and has been engaged in a particular business/trade/profession for a continuous duration of at least three calendar months; and has lost income as a result of not engaging in the trade, business, profession or vocation during the childcare leave period.

However, parents of non-citizens and single, unwed parents are entitled to only two days' childcare leave under the Employment Act.

Why are Singaporeans who are single parents penalised?

One could argue that such single parents are even more in need of leave than married couples.

Anson Lim

First published in ST Forum Page January 28, 2009
Source: Single, unwed parents need leave too
http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Story/STIStory_331126.html