A new chapter for paid leave
A new chapter for paid leave
October 02, 2008
Section: News
KERRIELYN CLARK
AS THE Productivity Commission this week proposed replacing the baby bonus with a taxpayer-funded 18 weeks’ maternity leave, Throsby MP Jennie George welcomed the debate as a long time in coming.
Speaking at the Willy Wagtail Garden Childcare centre in Dapto at the Unions NSW campaign launch for six months paid leave, Ms George said the system of individual bargaining was not working.
“At the moment white-collar workers get paid maternity leave, that means two-thirds of women, especially at the lower end (of the financial spectrum), aren’t,’’ Ms George said.
“All the literature tells you those early months are important for bonding and I think that any family if they had the option would like to have mum at home.’’
Under the Government’s proposal, new mums would receive up to $12,000 in paid leave at the current minimum wage rate of $544 a week. Fathers would be entitled to two weeks’ paid leave.