New measures to boost birth rate to be introduced in August

[jdelpiero]

SINGAPORE: A new package of measures to raise Singapore’s baby count will be introduced next month, said Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng.

Speaking at the 150th anniversary celebrations of the KK Women’s & Children’s Hospital on Sunday, Mr Wong warned that Singapore’s population could be hard hit if its total fertility rate is not boosted.

At its peak in 1966, doctors at the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital delivered some 40,000 babies.

The hospital was also cited in the Guinness Book of Records between the 1950s and 1970s as the world’s busiest maternity hospital. But today, the story is quite different.

Mr Wong, who is also Minister—in—Charge of Population Issues, said: "It is a well—known fact that Singapore now has one of the lowest total fertility rates in the world at 1.29. If this rate is not increased, Singapore’s population will be halved beyond 2070, without an inflow of foreign immigrants."

Despite the falling birth rate, the hospital did not scale back on its operations. Instead, it has expanded its medical and healthcare services.

Mr Wong said KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital is ready to deliver more babies, but the issue at hand is to find ways to encourage Singaporeans to get married and have more children.

Recent surveys showed that financial constraints, busy work schedules and lack of childcare support were top concerns that limit a larger family size.

Without giving away details, Mr Wong hinted that a new set of measures will be rolled out to help couples cope with work and family.

He said: "Hopefully, with a new package of measures, which will be announced next month, and a strong collective desire towards supporting family life in Singapore, our baby count will increase.

"Employers have to support better work—life practices, friends and relatives have to chip in to help, and most of all, Singaporeans must desire to get married and raise families in the first place. All these require a societal mindset change."

Singapore is also studying the procreation policies of countries like Sweden and the United States.

— CNA/so

[jdelpiero]

Aiyoh so simple..
need to waste our ministerial talent to think meh?

just raise more prices la..

ERP,
public transport,
food prices,
GST etc..
and esp rubber price.
Crowding a few more million people onto the island also won't hurt.

Who would want to leave the house with all that happening?



But seriously, with the influx of 'foreign talent' into Singapore,
the population issue is not really having problems.

The real issue, i believe, is with not having enough locally-born boys serving NS.

[kazuki]

Aiyoh so simple..
need to waste our ministerial talent to think meh?

just raise more prices la..

ERP,
public transport,
food prices,
GST etc..
and esp rubber price.
Crowding a few more million people onto the island also won't hurt.

Who would want to leave the house with all that happening?


erm...
But arent most couples also unwilling to have more children coz its expensive in bringing up one these days???

All the tuitions, CCA, extra non-academic lessons, etc etc etc.
Then the medical fees of a baby in their 1st few yrs, they cost A BOMB!!!!


Time to bring down many prices rather?

[Koo]

I see the shrinking of HDB flats as an obstacle which also stop SGs from having more babies! Studying other countries will not help!:(

[y1ch]

they want to increase population, but i feel they dun care too much about citizens?

and seriosuly too many prostitutes roaming around near tiong bahru (where i used to stay) after 10pm... dun tell me these are 'foreign talents'

personally, the majority are the middle income class, if everything so expensive, nothing will encourage ppl to have more kids. one is already a pain in the *** for parents.

[kazuki]

they want to increase population, but i feel they dun care too much about citizens?

and seriosuly too many prostitutes roaming around near tiong bahru (where i used to stay) after 10pm... dun tell me these are 'foreign talents'

personally, the majority are the middle income class, if everything so expensive, nothing will encourage ppl to have more kids. one is already a pain in the *** for parents.

how come i stay in that area for 20+ yrs never see before??? :P

1st, its very hard for the ica to "stop" these foreign "talents", coz some or even most of them could have came in with visitor pass.

Just like if we visit Japan on visitor pass, then touchwood we do that as well. How do we expect their gov to know?

But then i wont deny some of these "foreign talents" came in as parents accompanying their studying child. Some even are on WP.
(I heard of a very big manufacturing company whose foreign workers sideline during those midnight hrs in the office!!!)

[cyc]

I thot S'pore is "clamped" enuff oready... not like there's nobody roaming Orchard Rd...

[y1ch]

now on the streets, anywhere (from hawker to major shopping malls), u can spot:

1. china chinese
2. indonesians
3. i noticed a lot of thais nowadays (compared to few years back)

personally, i feel like i am in china when i am in singapore. and that's a scary thought.

IMO, i think only lowering prices will get couple to have more baby again. otherwise hard to encourage ppl to have more baby... unless they come up with some funny plans or packages :laugh:

[kazuki]

actually i tot the SDU is a good idea. But maybe dun just keep it within the higher educated ppl only...

[Hades]

Aiya, best is for first child born. Have an increment of bonus package from $3000 to $6000. 2nd baby onwards will be from $6000 to $12000.

And I believe alot of couples will start to creates new life after that :laugh: $$ and education fees are still the most realistic bonuses afterall

[jdelpiero]

actually i tot the SDU is a good idea. But maybe dun just keep it within the higher educated ppl only...


there's SDS and SDU.

well.. i also dun get the segregation.

[KiraDude]

personally, i feel like i am in china when i am in singapore. and that's a scary thought.



this part - i agree w you totally !

my area has seen an tremendous increased in PRCs ! :cry:

[Lolicon2000]

I personally feel tat Singapore is going back to it's roots...

A land of immigrants...

Not sure if it is good or bad...

[zulufili]

now on the streets, anywhere (from hawker to major shopping malls), u can spot:

1. china chinese
2. indonesians
3. i noticed a lot of thais nowadays (compared to few years back)

personally, i feel like i am in china when i am in singapore. and that's a scary thought.

IMO, i think only lowering prices will get couple to have more baby again. otherwise hard to encourage ppl to have more baby... unless they come up with some funny plans or packages :laugh:

u forgot 2 more...indians from india and filipinos(not those maids)...their amount is creeping up real fast...

one evening,while i took the mrt..i was standing in the middle...and guess what,in front of me was indonesians,on the left was bangla,on the right was china chinese,and at my back was thais...knn...i feel like im in a foreign land...

[zulufili]

I personally feel tat Singapore is going back to it's roots...

A land of immigrants...

Not sure if it is good or bad...

haiz,those immigrants of yesteryears help to build what singapore is today...nowadays,these immigrants just wanna take advantage of our security,cleanliness and decreasing birthrates to plant their seeds here...last time,when singapore in war and chaos, first thing they do is to run away...now ask all those expats and FT,why then wanna build or move their family here?main reason,safe environment...knn..their own country not safe,they dunnoe how to do anything abt it?

[y1ch]

i would say Singapore is S.E.A.'s 'American Dream' or a step closer to their American dream. That's why they are all here. all because of $$$.

Back to topic... $$$ is always the issue. Alot of young couples now a days only wanna have one child, they see the expenses from 1st child, and that already discourages to have 2nd child. Even i know some 'real live' examples, rich couple (my gf's uncle and auntie), dun even want to have 2nd child.

it's funny how one country wanting to limit population, where the other want to increase their population. :D

[cyc]

quite simply put, rich pple don't have time to have babies, poor pple don't have $$$ to have babies...

[Defiler]

when singapore in war and chaos, first thing they do is to run away...now ask all those expats and FT,why then wanna build or move their family here?main reason,safe environment...knn..their own country not safe,they dunnoe how to do anything abt it?

Then our local army boys will pick up the "sai". If you run away, you are a deserter. Not some well-pampered FTs. KNN

One thing might work. All new babies will have their BC/IC numbers place in a lottery for $10mil grand prize. The more babies you have, the more chances you have. People will be queuing up to KK to give birth leow. :laugh:

Limit also the number of chickens. They take precious resources away from our married womenfolk.

[Hades]

SINGAPORE: The Singapore government plans to spend an additional S$700 million a year on measures to boost its flagging birth rate. Currently, it spends about S$900 million a year.


Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in his National Day Rally speech on Sunday night that a baby brings much joy, but can also be a logistic and financial challenge, so a slew of measures will be implemented by the government to create more time and more funds to help parents cope with their children.

Paid maternity leave will be extended from 12 weeks to 16 weeks, and the extra four weeks can be taken anytime during the baby’s first year. It was previously extended from eight to 12 weeks in 2004.

There will also be a larger baby bonus for first—time parents, more tax incentives to encourage mothers to work, more incentives for the fifth and subsequent children, and more financial support for couples who go for In—Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment.

On top of that, Mr Lee said parenting is not just the mother’s responsibility.

"I used to change nappies, in the days before Pampers. So you’ve actually got to fold the cloth, you’ve got to put it on, you’ve got to put the safety pin, I haven’t pricked any baby yet. If I can do it, that means anybody can do it," he quipped.

Emphasising that parenting is a job for both parents has influenced some policy changes which he hopes will help to shift attitudes. Childcare leave, which can be claimed by either parent, will be extended from two to six days per year.

There will also be one week of unpaid infant—care leave per year, and mums or dads can claim it until their child turns two years old.

Mr Lee acknowledged that professional women find the cost of not working the highest, and he cited his own mother’s work—life choices.

A successful lawyer, Mrs Lee Kuan Yew chose to put her children first, took on fewer cases, avoided evening work functions and ate lunch at home every day with her children.

He said having children is a personal choice, and parents have to decide their own priorities.

The government will help by catering to demand and creating 20,000 places at 200 new childcare centres over the next five years. There will also be more financial support to help kindergartens upgrade their staff and curricula, as well as more financial help for parents.

Mr Lee said: "These measures all add up to a very significant package. We are talking of about maybe S$700 million a year. If more babies are born, it will be more than S$700 million a year. But even that is about double of what we are spending today on child incentives and all together we will have about S$1.6 billion spent a year or 0.6 per cent of GDP."

For many people in Singapore, getting married is the first priority. Mr Lee said the government would do what it could to help, but urged young Singaporeans not to leave it till it is too late and to make time to go out, meet new friends and if necessary, join a dating agency.

Mr Lee also spent some time sharing humorous stories from the feedback he received from dating agencies, including unrealistic expectations and poor social graces.

He announced that the government will merge the Social Development Unit (SDU) which caters to graduates, and the Social Development Service (SDS) for non—graduates to increase matchmaking flexibility and activities.

SDU will also come up with an SDU Trust Mark to ensure that those who prefer using private dating agencies will get quality service.


— CNA/so



Damn it, wife just gave birth 1 week ago. Does that means, I'll missing out this new imprement as well. Increment of baby bonus package and my wife extra 4 weeks of maternity leave :bang:

[meow]

Damn it, wife just gave birth 1 week ago. Does that means, I'll missing out this new imprement as well. Increment of baby bonus package and my wife extra 4 weeks of maternity leave :bang:

wah, you really chop chop to reproduce :D
should still get your share bah.

[Hades]

wah, you really chop chop to reproduce :D
should still get your share bah.
Hopefully.... Unless this system start on next few months, than I don't think that I will benefit it :|

[KiraDude]

already my female colleagues r talking abt this - they damn happy abt e additional 4 weeks maturity leave ! :beatup:

[kazuki]

Hopefully.... Unless this system start on next few months, than I don't think that I will benefit it :|

It should apply if she is working for the civil service, or coys with relations.

[OperationZero]

Wonder how long it will take for the private sector to implement this....
Morever is it mandatory for the private sector to follow or optional?

[kazuki]

Wonder how long it will take for the private sector to implement this....
Morever is it mandatory for the private sector to follow or optional?

Its like the recruitment discriminational act.
its only a set of GUIDELINES.

Coys who have deals closely with the gov will try to follow bah...

[Hades]

Just read from the news. This system will be implement in next yr :bang:

1st & 2nd child will get 6k of baby bonus :o I lugi 3k from garment liao :angry:

[kazuki]

Just read from the news. This system will be implement in next yr :bang:

1st & 2nd child will get 6k of baby bonus :o I lugi 3k from garment liao :angry:

go for 2nd baby lah. ;)

[Hades]

go for 2nd baby lah. ;)
Siao ah, 1 baby is already giving us a burden currently. If go for another one sure makes me broke sia :|

[kazuki]

Siao ah, 1 baby is already giving us a burden currently. If go for another one sure makes me broke sia :|

just a cheeky remark lah.:P

Now not just a husband liao lor, coming father soon. :D =D>

(must try to buy less SS toys, games, comics liao hor.:whistling )

[Hades]

just a cheeky remark lah.:P

Now not just a husband liao lor, coming father soon. :D =D>

(must try to buy less SS toys, games, comics liao hor.:whistling )
Haiz...already stop buying games liao for long time ago. Comics also dropped out alot of series liao. SS toys will still carries on though :(

Let's stick back to the topic before too much OT :P

[kazuki]

Personally though i am not married or attached, so by right this policy isnt going to affect me in the short run.
But then i feel its a very smart move. We cant rely on importing foreign talents all the way, the gov also know that the ppl are not happy for that.

So "investing" on the birthrate is the best form of investment for the long run which they can see results say in 20yrs time.

[Hades]

Just read from the news. This system will be implement in next yr :bang:

1st & 2nd child will get 6k of baby bonus :o I lugi 3k from garment liao :angry:
I would like to amend my previous post just in case people confuse from my words ;)

The new system for baby bonus is 4k instead of 6k. Anyway I lugi 1k only from the garment. But better than nothing lah.

Good luck to your wife or those who just pregnant :D You get the the new bonus... Cheers!!!

[kazuki]

btw, hades. I think u may still benefit from this new baby scheme, from what i heard on the news this morning.

I think it will be best if u go check with the hospital, or better still your district grassroot leaders/MP.

Or if not, just visit some gov websites to see bah

[Hades]

btw, hades. I think u may still benefit from this new baby scheme, from what i heard on the news this morning.

I think it will be best if u go check with the hospital, or better still your district grassroot leaders/MP.

Or if not, just visit some gov websites to see bah
Yah, the new system implement on 17th Aug. They should start the system at the start of the month instead of mid-month :bang: Really unfair to those who give birth before 17th Aug :angry:

[kazuki]

Yah, the new system implement on 17th Aug. They should start the system at the start of the month instead of mid-month :bang: Really unfair to those who give birth before 17th Aug :angry:

err...

There is no total fair system in this wan lor.
If u say why not start of aug, then cfm will have ppl say why not july and on and on and on...

U know what i mean lor

[Hades]

err...

There is no total fair system in this wan lor.
If u say why not start of aug, then cfm will have ppl say why not july and on and on and on...

U know what i mean lor
I understand but start from the mid Aug really seems not right for us. I rather they start it on next yr. At least I won't feel heartaching :|

[steith]

fully agreed. Since it is meant to be a national day rally, it should have been backdated to be at least 09 Aug or even best, the start of Aug 08 in celebration of the nation birthday month,

Anyone know of any weblink we can raise a petition to appeal for the date to be revised to 1st of aug or 09 aug ?

Yah, the new system implement on 17th Aug. They should start the system at the start of the month instead of mid-month :bang: Really unfair to those who give birth before 17th Aug :angry:

[Hades]

fully agreed. Since it is meant to be a national day rally, it should have been backdated to be at least 09 Aug or even best, the start of Aug 08 in celebration of the nation birthday month,

Anyone know of any weblink we can raise a petition to appeal for the date to be revised to 1st of aug or 09 aug ?
http://app.customerfeedback.mcys.gov.sg/fcd_sitefeedback.asp?dropdowntype=FCD_ONLINEADVICE

Not sure whether this is the correct channel to feedback though. Maybe you can try it as well.

I've just feedback about this matter from the link yesterday too :)

Oh yah there is 1 link direct feedback to Prime Minister's Office. See below..

http://www.pmo.gov.sg/Feedback/index.htm

[Hades]

Attention to all mothers or your wife

If your child's Estimated Delivery Date(EDD) is after 17th Aug but your baby arrived in this world earlier before 17th Aug, you are still eligible to get the new MnP packages :D

This is confirmed as I've already called up to MCYS hotline, the officer claims that the qualifying date will be based on the EDD as indicated by the doctor as a prove, we are still eligible to get the new MnP package :D

Of course we need to submit a letter and copies of Marriage Certificate, both parents IC, child's Birth Certificate and EDD's cert proven from doctor and sent it to the location shown below...

Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Family Services Division, Baby Bonus & Adoption Branch, 510 Thomson Road, #13-00, SLF Building, Singapore 298135


Cheers!! ;)

[y1ch]

I knew only money could encourage. And now it happened.

I do feel sick. Knowing that if money can solve any problems, how the society turns out in the future? :thinking:

[Hades]

I knew only money could encourage. And now it happened.

I do feel sick. Knowing that if money can solve any problems, how the society turns out in the future? :thinking:
Garment is encouraging us, but the choices depend on us, not them.

And since garment is giving bonus, why you need to help them to save it?? Afterall, we are the one who paying tax and contributes all these funds. If they willing to give, I'm more willing to take :laugh:

Better than nothing lah... Can't ask for much!!!

[y1ch]

Garment is encouraging us, but the choices depend on us, not them.

And since garment is giving bonus, why you need to help them to save it?? Afterall, we are the one who paying tax and contributes all these funds. If they willing to give, I'm more willing to take :laugh:

Better than nothing lah... Can't ask for much!!!

haha it's true. just felt that the whole idea is being perversed. money is evil thing. :evil:

[jdelpiero]

Some Singaporeans say parenthood package not enough

SINGAPORE: One resident wanted paternity leave and another wanted more infant care services.

Between responding to these and other reactions to the marriage and parenthood package, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong illustrated how the latest policies hope to negotiate between the economics and personal decisions of procreation.

To his constituent who suggested that two weeks of paternity leave would be just right, Mr Goh asked if the 0.6 per cent of Gross Domestic Product the government was spending on the $1.6—billion package was enough or too much in return for perhaps 1,000 more babies a year.

Another member of the dialogue session held last night at Marine Parade Community Club suggested that more childcare leave would have helped, but Mr Goh said additional parenthood measures would affect the economy.

Instead, he suggested that couples look at the importance of parenthood from a personal point of view, specifically, from the vantage point of ageing.

Even those who start families are “in trouble” if their children do not live with them in their old age, especially in this age of globalisation when the younger generation are more likely to work overseas.

Mr Goh added, though, that it was not all about quantity; parents need to bond with their children — one reason why he would caution against promoting infant care centres too strongly.

“If we can avoid it, avoid as long as we can, to not disrupt the bond between child and parent,” he said.

“I would move cautiously with this. I would not make it too easily available.”

Besides family policies, the dialogue session with Mr Goh and the other MPs of Marine Parade GRC also touched on social graces, the rising cost of living and political openness.

On social graces, Mr Goh said: “We think this topic is really important.

“If we can become a gracious society, this place will be really worth living in.”

Some dialogue participants were doubtful, though, citing the rat race, the education system and parents’ attitudes as obstacles.

Mr Goh agreed that this would take time.

It is also going to take time for Singaporeans to accept the Government’s Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) policies, it would seem, as the issue came up again for airing.

According to Mr Goh, the Government has tried out two approaches.

One is to make cars so expensive that you keep the vehicle population low — the approach Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew prefers and which Mr Goh said was more practical.

Or to tax usage, which Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is going for. Remarked Mr Goh, “Philosophically, this method is better”. — TODAY/sh

[y1ch]

haha evil money aside.

does the mothers ever get worried that after their maternal leave, they lose their job? :P just a thought here.

wat if companies hire someone better? :thinking:

[Hades]

I think the garment is kind enough to the current new MnP package. I doesn't need 2 weeks of Paternity leaves.

I'm just as happy as long as I'm eligible to get the new package. Dun complain so much, just take what they give. If you think not enough, ask from your parents than :beatup: Sometimes, people is really taking for granted.

[y1ch]

I think the garment is kind enough to the current new MnP package. I doesn't need 2 weeks of Paternity leaves.

I'm just as happy as long as I'm eligible to get the new package. Dun complain so much, just take what they give. If you think not enough, ask from your parents than :beatup: Sometimes, people is really taking for granted.

yup. and who ever will say money is enough? :laugh: