The National Day Rally (NDR) is a significant event in Singapore’s political calendar, where the Prime Minister outlines the government’s vision for the future and announces key policy initiatives.
In 2024, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivered his first rally, highlighting a range of initiatives that will further enhance the competitiveness and attractiveness of Singapore on the world stage. In this Pacific Prime CXA article, we look at the key initiatives one by one.
Highlights of NDR 2024 Singapore Related to Employee Benefits
Among these announcements, several key highlights directly relate to employee benefits, offering enhancements in parental leave, financial support for job seekers, and educational initiatives.
1. Enhanced Shared Parental Leave
To create a more supportive environment for families, starting from April 1, 2025 and in phases, parents of newborns will ultimately receive an additional 10 weeks of shared parental leave. This increases the total paid leave available to 30 weeks, or approximately 7.5 months.
Key Features of the Enhanced Leave Scheme
The new shared parental leave scheme will replace the current system, which allows mothers to share up to four weeks of their 16 weeks of maternity leave with their spouse.
Under the updated structure, the leave will be rolled out in two phases:
- Parents of children born from April 1, 2025 will be entitled to six extra weeks of shared leave
- Parents of children born from April 1, 2026 will be entitled to 10 extra weeks of shared leave
The extra leave can be shared between both parents, allowing families to allocate time off according to their specific needs. For instance, a couple can split the extra leave equally or have one parent take the entire extra leave. This flexibility accommodates varying caregiving arrangements.
Financial Support and Eligibility
The government will cover the expenses associated with this additional leave, providing up to SGD $2,500 per week, ensuring that families can afford to take time off without financial strain.
Importantly, the new scheme will be available to all parents of Singaporean babies, including unwed mothers, although fathers must be legally married to be eligible. The mandatory paternity leave for fathers will also increase from two weeks to four weeks starting on April 1, 2025.
The Duty to Provide Timely Notification
To facilitate these changes, parents must inform their employers at least four weeks in advance of their intended leave. This requirement aims to help businesses manage staffing and operational adjustments effectively.
2. Financial Aid for the Involuntarily Unemployed and Adult Learners
During NDR 2024 Singapore, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong unveiled the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme, which aims to provide financial aid and training opportunities for those who have lost their jobs.
Key Features of the Support Scheme
The SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme is designed to offer temporary financial assistance of up to SGD $6,000 over a six-month period. This initiative specifically targets lower- and middle-income workers who find themselves involuntarily unemployed.
Prime Minister Wong emphasized that while the government will provide this support, individuals must also take responsibility for their own career development. Recipients of the aid are encouraged to engage in training, career coaching, and job-matching services.
Educational Opportunities for Adult Learners
Moreover, the government is enhancing educational opportunities for adult learners, particularly those aged 40 and above. As part of the SkillsFuture initiative, these individuals will receive a SGD $4,000 top-up in their SkillsFuture credits, which can be used for various educational pursuits.
A new training allowance will also be introduced, providing up to SGD $3,000 a month for adults taking time off to study full-time. Recognizing that many adults may not be able to commit to full-time studies, the government will also extend benefits to part-time learners.
Other Highlights of NDR 2024 Singapore
The following initiatives, while not directly related to employee benefits, are aimed at fostering a more inclusive society and improving the quality of life for Singaporeans.
1. Housing Enhancements
Several housing initiatives were announced to support both couples and singles. The Enhanced CPF Housing Grant, which helps lower-income couples secure their first homes, will be increased to up to SGD $80,000.
Additionally, singles applying for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats will now have priority access to homes near their parents starting in mid-2025. The government also plans to enhance existing homes to make them more senior-friendly, reflecting an awareness of the aging population’s needs.
2. Revamping the Gifted Education Programme
The Gifted Education Programme (GEP), established in 1984, will undergo significant changes. Instead of being offered only in nine primary schools, all primary schools will now be equipped to identify high-ability learners and provide tailored programs.
3. Higher Mother Tongue Learning
In a bid to promote bilingualism, students will have greater access to Higher Mother Tongue Language (HMTL) classes. The criteria for eligibility will be relaxed, allowing more students who demonstrate proficiency in their mother tongue to enroll in these advanced classes.
This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to nurture linguistic skills and cultural heritage, ensuring that students can excel in their mother tongue, whether it be:
4. Kallang Alive Masterplan
The Kallang Alive Masterplan aims to transform the Kallang area into a vibrant sports hub. A new indoor arena with a capacity of 18,000 will replace the existing Singapore Indoor Stadium, providing state-of-the-art facilities for athletes and hosting major events.
The plan includes converting a main road through the sports hub into a pedestrian-friendly community boulevard, thereby encouraging public engagement in sports and recreational activities.
5. Prime Waterfront Coastline Development
Plans were unveiled for a 120-km-long prime waterfront coastline, which will integrate existing waterfront areas and create new residential and recreational precincts. This ambitious project aims to enhance urban living while promoting sustainability.
New developments in areas such as Nicoll and Marina East will feature over 10,000 new homes designed to be car-lite, with ample cycling networks and pedestrian-friendly streets. This initiative focuses on creating livable spaces that cater to the needs of a growing population.
6. Establishment of the Singapore College of Islamic Studies
A new Singapore College of Islamic Studies will be established to nurture future leaders within the Malay/Muslim community. This initiative is part of the government’s commitment to support a modern and progressive community while respecting their unique cultural practices.
The college aims to groom home-grown religious leaders grounded in Singapore’s multicultural context, ensuring that they can effectively contribute to society.
Contact Pacific Prime CXA for Employee Benefits Solutions
The initiatives unveiled in NDR 2024 have the potential to boost Singapore’s global competitiveness and appeal. Similarly, your organization can strengthen its competitiveness and attractiveness in the talent market by providing a well-curated range of employee benefits.
With more than 20 years’ experience in insurance and employee benefits, Pacific Prime CXA is well positioned to provide the right solutions to suit your organization’s needs and budget while furthering its goals.
With the CXA portal, your organization can easily offer flexible benefits to employees, allowing them to decide what benefits suit their individual circumstances best. Moreover, our Prime Care Portal will simplify the entire employee benefits administration process, saving time, money and stress.
Let us help your organization attract and retain top talent. Contact us today!
Since joining Pacific Prime, Martin has become even more aware of the gap between the true value of insurance products and most people’s appreciation of it, and developed a passion for demystifying and simplifying matters, so that more people get the protection they need at a cost they can easily afford.
In his free time, Martin attends concerts of various genres, and plays the violin with piano accompaniment he pre-recorded himself or played live by his niece.