I refer to Mdm Chua Chor Luan’s letter to the Straits Times forum on 3 Jun 2011 (‘Make ex-husbands pay maintenance without fail’).
We share Mdm Chua’s concern that maintenance payments should be regular and prompt. Under the law, both parents have the obligation to maintain the children. While the children are often placed under the direct care of their mothers, their fathers are usually required to pay for their maintenance.
The Women’s Charter was recently amended to strengthen the enforcement of maintenance orders. Starting 1 June 2011, in addition to existing sanctions such as imprisonment and levying the arrears as a fine, the amended Charter provides the Family Court with a wider range of sanctions, such as requiring them to perform community service, set up a banker’s guarantee as a security against future defaults, or attend financial counselling to better manage their finances. Maintenance debts can also be reported to a credit bureau and reflected in the defaulter’s credit report.
The Family Court can also make an attachment of earnings order, which requires an individual’s employer to pay maintenance directly out of his or her salary. Under the amended Charter, an individual’s employment records can be obtained from the CPF Board, to facilitate the Courts in making attachment of earnings order.
Starting from 1 September 2011, divorcees who are remarrying will have to make a statutory declaration on whether they have any outstanding maintenance arrears. This is to remind individuals of any maintenance obligations to their former families as well as ensure that new spouses are aware of these obligations.
From April 2010, the court process has been streamlined by reducing the number of required visits. It costs $1 to file a complaint for enforcement of maintenance at the Family Court, and the HELP (Helping to Empower Litigants-in-Person) Centre at the Family Court assists individuals in understanding the court procedures and steps involved.
The Ministry will monitor the effectiveness of the new measures and review our policies to ensure that they are relevant to the needs of families.
We thank Mdm Chua for providing her valued feedback.
Ms Ng Mie Ling
Coordinating Director, Family Development Group
Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports