For many years, mothers having a child out of a wedlock were not given the same benefits like a married mother, this has been an ongoing dialogue among the unwed mothers. Now, the Singapore Government is looking into policies on maternity leave, housing, health subsidies and education subsidies.
In the past, unwed mothers only get 8 weeks of paid maternity leave while a married mother gets 16 weeks of paid maternity Ieave. Unwed mothers were also not entitled to Baby Bonus and also parenthood tax reliefs. Unwed mothers are also not entitled to apply for an HDB (Government public housing) flat under the family scheme, they are only entitled to apply under the singles scheme (for singles above 35 years old) or buy off the resale market.
The unfair differences in benefits for unwed mothers have been brought up many times in Parliament. After joining the Ministry in April, Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin has made many efforts to help make a stand and change for single unwed mothers.
As seen in the Straits Times today, Social and Family Developement Minister Tan Chuan-Jin said:” My sense is that the public understands and sympathizes with single unwed mothers.” He added that there is more support available for them than just maternity leave and baby bonuses. “It’s about healthcare availability, it’s about education opportunities and the support that comes with it.”
He said issues such as housing, education, health and employment ate being discussed from a “whole-of-government perspective”.
As a single mother myself, I am really happy to hear that Singapore is finally ready to accept and treat unwed mothers like any married mothers who just want the best for their child. I am glad that future unwed mothers would be able to get the help and support from the Singapore Government with the equal treatment in benefits like 16 weeks of paid maternity leave and Baby Bonus.
Related articles
- Government reviewing benefits for unwed mothers (straitstimes.com)
- Benefits given to unwed mothers (msf.gov.sg)
- Why No Benefits for Unwed Mothers? (aware.org.sg)
- Review of benefits for unwed mothers (asiaone.com)
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