PROCREATION POLICIES

Mr Noris Ong Chin Guan asked the Prime Minister whether his Government intends (i) to review the success of the policies adopted to improve procreation in Singapore; and (ii) to consider, in line with most private sector practices, a five-day working week to allow civil servants to spend more time with their families.

Mr Lim Boon Heng (for the Prime Minister): The Prime Minister has announced in his National Day Rally Speech on 20th August 2000 two measures to address the problem of falling total fertility rate in Singapore. These are the Baby Bonus Scheme and paid third child maternity leave. The Prime Minister has also said that more supporting measures will be announced soon as it is important that we have a total environment conducive to raising a family. He has appointed Mr Lim Boon Heng to chair a committee to oversee this critical matter.

As regards the Member's query on 5-day working week for civil servants, PSD's approach is to give Government ministries some flexibility to decide on their working hours. If ministries choose to adjust the working hours for their officers within the overall framework of the 42-hour workweek, PSD has no objection so long as this improves their levels of service to the public, and does not affect productivity. However, there will be no general rule for the whole Civil Service to switch to a 5-day working week. Doing so would send the wrong signal that since the Government itself is now working fewer days, we have now arrived and it is all right for workers throughout the economy to shift to a less intense pace.