well, i sent an email to MCYS on Monday ... they replied
Dear Ms XXX,
We refer to your email dated 25 Aug 08.
The employer may pro-rate childcare leave based on the duration of employment. Details on how this can be done will be made available later. You are not required to provide a reason to apply for childcare leave.
Details regarding the transitional period (i.e. between 17 August 2008 to 31 December 2008) are still being finalized. We strongly encourage employers to voluntarily provide eligible employees with the extended maternity leave and childcare leave, and the Government will reimburse the extended maternity leave for babies born on or after 17 Aug 08 accordingly; and also reimburse childcare leave for children aged below 7 as on 17 Aug 08 accordingly. If the employer grants the full entitlement, the government will reimburse accordingly.
For information on the recently announced enhanced Marriage & Parenthood package in Aug 2008 (e.g. maternity leave, childcare leave, infant care leave, etc), you may wish to refer to the Marriage & Parenthood website (
www.family.gov.sg/MnP), the Ministry of Manpower website (
www.mom.gov.sg/MnP) or contact the toll-free hotline, 1800 223 2229.
Should you require more information on the statutory benefits provided for under the Employment Act, you could visit the Ministry of Manpower's web-site at
http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en/communities/workplace_standards/employment_standards/the_employment_act.html or call 6 4385122. However, if you need to meet and consult with our officers in person, you may make an e-appointment using the following link :
http://app.etools.mom.gov.sg/eindex.aspx.
Yours sincerely,
Chong-Tan Sok Peng (Ms)
Senior Labour Relations Officer, Employment Standards Department
Labour Relations and Workplaces Division . Ministry of Manpower . Fax (65) 65354811.
http://www.mom.gov.sg.