NDR measures give parents more money and time; mindset shift next

The new support measures address the practical demands of having a family and recognise the need for more time with older children, said parents. They added that these initiatives, announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the National Day Rally, signal a stronger focus on supporting parents through their children’s growing years and move beyond simply offering incentives to have more babies. Chua Yeow Hwee, an economics professor at NTU, said workplace culture should be the next priority. Government reimbursement addresses the direct wage cost to employers, but the next challenge is helping workplaces manage absences, he said. “That means better cover arrangements, genuine flexibility over when and where work is done, managers who do not penalise parents for using statutory benefits, and stronger norms around fathers taking on caregiving responsibilities as well,” said Chua.

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