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Written answer by Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister for Manpower to Parliamentary Question on qualifying for maternity protection under Child Development Co-Savings Act and Employment Act

Employment practices

Notice paper for no. 295 of 2016 for the sitting on 15 August 2016 question no. 487 for oral answer

MP: Ms Tin Pei Ling

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) whether the only document that is recognised for a female employee to qualify for maternity protection under the Child Development Co-savings Act and Employment Act is a medical report certifying her pregnancy; and (b) whether a female employee who qualified for maternity protection may appeal against unfair dismissal if she was dismissed after making known her pregnancy but suffered a miscarriage thereafter.

Answer
  1. The Employment Act (EA) and the Child Development Co-savings Act (CDCA) protect female employees during pregnancy and while on maternity leave. 
  2. Employees who are eligible for maternity protection and benefits under the EA and CDCA must be certified pregnant by a registered medical practitioner. This certification can take the form of a memo, letter or medical report that is signed by the medical practitioner. 
  3. The maternity protection against unfair dismissal applies throughout the pregnancy, regardless of whether the employee later has a miscarriage. An employee can submit an appeal to MOM if she was unfairly dismissed while pregnant. MOM will investigate accordingly and take appropriate actions under the EA.