Singapore Pays Big Bucks For People To Have Babies

[matcom]

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SINGAPORE -- The government of Singapore is sweetening the pot for parenthood.

It is raising payments to people who have children, extending maternity leave and taking other measures to try reversing a drastic slump in the birth rate.

One official said, "Efforts to promote parenthood warrant a substantial investment."

Under the changes, the government will offer parents cash and grants totaling 3,000 Singapore dollars for having their first child, and up to $18,000 for a fourth.

Maternity leave is being extended from eight to 12 weeks and the work week for civil servants will be cut back by a half a day to give people more time with their families.

http://www.wftv.com/family/3679435/detail.html