More businesses should adopt family-friendly model - Halimah Yacob

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FAMILY PARKING LOT
AT CITY SQUARE MALL

More businesses should take on a family-friendly model, said Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports Halimah Yacob.

To encourage more to do that, the government is reviewing its current grant for businesses.

Free meals and activities for children on weekends and waiting areas to keep the young ones entertained are just some of the things that businesses have done to make their operations family-friendly.

The government hopes more will follow suit.

In 2010, S$2 million was set aside for the Businesses for Families Grant.

Businesses can claim up to 70 per cent of actual costs incurred in making their operations family-friendly.

To date, some S$1.5 million has been disbursed to 38 businesses.

A total of 68 companies have benefited from the grant since it was introduced in 2007.

Madam Halimah said the review will involve pumping in more money into the fund.

"The government can do only so much. We can provide the grant, we can try to raise awareness, but beyond the grant we need to have partners who can raise awareness, who say 'we believe in this'," said Madam Halimah.

Currently, 378 business outlets have been accredited with the Businesses for Families Mark.

While Madam Halimah said Singapore has still has a long way to go compared to other countries, she hopes existing family-friendly businesses will be an inspiration for others.