Singapore government released on Monday its new measures to promote marriage and parenthood including providing affordable public housing, assisting reproduction, as well as incentives of healthcare and paternity leave for its citizens.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean announced the enhanced Marriage and Parenthood Package, which aimed to provide more comprehensive support for Singaporeans in getting married and starting their families.
Young parents who have children below 16 years get priority to buy their first public housing flats as 30 percent of new public flats would be reserved for them, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said.
Meanwhile, parents who are waiting for the completion of their flats get to rent flats from the Housing and Development Board at lower costs.
Boon Wan said those who have difficulty in getting pregnant, would receive government assistance in reproduction technology treatments while fathers will get government-paid paternity leave of one week for more involvement in raising children.
This is on top of the one-week leave they can co-share with mothers under the working mother's maternity leave entitlement of four months.
The government also announced some necessary leaves for working parents to take care of their teenage children, while adopters will get essential leaves "to support bonding with the adopted child in the child's first year".
Besides, the government also raised baby bonus cash gift too. The Central Provident Fund Medisave account for each citizen newborn with a grant of 3,000 Singapore dollars (2,459 U.S. dollars) will also be set aside for future healthcare costs.