She gave two suggestions as to how companies seeking to minimise costs during this period could improve work-life balance in the process.

One is to institute flexible working arrangements such as part-time or contract work. This will keep women employed as they will be able to work and still take care of their children.

'Teleworking', which allows employees to work from home, is another way, said Madam Halimah, the deputy secretary-general of the NTUC.

'We're one of the most Internet-connected countries, but we only used it during the Sars outbreak. Why not challenge ourselves to see how that can be extended beyond a crisis?'

She was speaking to reporters at a seminar on Monday, where some 500 union members, employers and government officials heard about the experiences of three Scandinavian countries in trying to achieve work-life balance.

The event was organised by the Women's Development Secretariat (WDS) of the National Trades Union Congress. Ms Vibeke Abel, Ms Pia Engstrom Lindgren and Ms Arni Hole - government officials from Denmark, Sweden and Norway, respectively - kicked off the seminar with presentations on steps that their countries had taken to promote work-life balance.

These included legislation, affirmative action and incentives.

Madam Halimah, who is also WDS' director, noted that the three countries have taken at least 50 years to implement effective policies.

But she also pointed out: 'We must not forget that their societies pay pretty high taxes to put some of these benefits in place.'

Read the full report in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.