The Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) announced in a statement yesterday that the government has established a permanent maternity leave remuneration subsidy system for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with those meeting the conditions being able to receive a maximum subsidy equivalent to 20 days of the employees basic remuneration if approved.
The scheme has been launched in tandem with the increase in maternity leave from 70 to 90 days, with the statement noting that the initiative is geared towards alleviating financial pressure on SMEs in paying maternity leave remuneration.
“Eligible employers, after lawfully paying maternity leave remuneration to local employees who give birth or experience related circumstances on or after July 28, 2026, may apply to the Labour Affairs Bureau within 150 days from the date of the employee’s childbirth or related circumstances”, the statement said.
Moreover, the statement said that the government has arranged for “transitional measures” as the current 14-day subsidy “Maternity Leave Pay Subsidy Scheme for Employers” will come to an end by the end of this year.
“If a local employee gives birth or experiences related circumstances between July 28 and December 31, 2026, eligible employers can apply for a total maximum of 34 days of maternity leave remuneration subsidy”, the statement said.
This poster provided by the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) yesterday shows the conditions for benefitting from the government’s “Maternity Leave Remuneration Subsidy System”.
