New research released today about how women use maternity leave, underlines the need for a universal, national paid maternity leave scheme says the ACTU.
ACTU President Sharan Burrow said: “We believe this study and other research supports the view of unions that women need a government and business-funded national scheme of paid maternity leave.
The Australian Institute of Family Studies study of more than 3573 mothers reported the worrying finding that many women returned to work early if they had no access to paid or unpaid leave.
The study also explored the link between job insecurity and early return to work by mothers.
“The current mish-mash of maternity leave entitlements creates a confusing picture for both employers and employees.
“A universal paid maternity leave scheme would give all women greater certainty and income security. It would take the financial pressure of parents and allow families to spend longer at home with a newborn child,” said Ms Burrow.
“Increasingly, we are seeing more and more women return to work too early because of the financial strain imposed by mortgages, petrol and food prices,” she said.
“Universal paid maternity leave will have across the board benefits not just for individual families but for the wellbeing of whole communities.
“Paid leave after the birth of a baby is still mainly available to permanent employees in high income jobs leaving many women out in the cold, particularly low income, contract, casual and self employed women workers.
The ACTU is pushing for a national scheme of at least 14 weeks paid maternity leave that is funded by government and business.
Link to study www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/rp42/rp42.pdf