The mother may commence her Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML) no earlier than 28 days before her child's date of birth. However, it cannot start after the child's date of birth.

For employees:

• Without mutual agreement: Employee must take the full 16 weeks of mandatory leave in one continuous block.

• With mutual agreement: Employee may take the first 8 weeks continuously, followed by the remaining 8 weeks on a flexible (non-continuous) basis.

Continuous leave:

• The 16 weeks of GPML must be taken in a continuous block.

• Total GPML entitlement will be based on calendar days [i.e., mother is away for 112 days (16 weeks x 7 days)].

• Non-working days [e.g., weekends and Public Holidays (PH)] will be included in the total GPML entitlement.

Non-continuous leave (with mutual agreement with employer):

• The first 8 weeks must be taken in a continuous block.

• There should be at least 1 day of break between the first 8 weeks and the last 8 weeks of GPML.

• The 9th to 16th week of GPML entitlement will be based on the no. of working days per week (e.g., 5 working days per week x 8 weeks).

• Non-working days will not be included in the GPML entitlement, unless the leave is applied in a continuous manner.

• GPML must be taken within 12 months from the child's date of birth.

• Mother should discuss with her employer on the utilisation of the leave.

For self-employed:

• The first 8 weeks must be taken in a continuous block.

• The 9th to 16th week of GPML entitlement will be based on the no. of working days per week (e.g. 5 working days per week x 8 weeks).

• Non-working days will not be included in the GPML entitlement, unless the leave is applied in a continuous manner.

• GPML must be taken within 12 months from the child's date of birth.

As per prevailing guidelines, primary leave schemes (i.e., GPML, Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL) or Adoption Leave for Mothers (AL)) must be exhausted prior to the commencement of Shared Parental Leave (SPL).