Up to 4.5 million Australians with caring responsibilities stand to benefit from the ACTU Work and Family Test Case which starts tomorrow, Wednesday 1 September.
Speaking in advance of the case, ACTU President Sharan Burrow said:
“This test case is about helping people achieve a better balance between work and family. Most workplaces are woefully out of touch with the needs of families today.
The ACTU estimates there are up to 4.5 million Australians in work who care for children or other family members. Around 2.7 million working people are parents or carers of pre-school children while more than half a million working people care for other family members.
The ACTU is seeking more flexible work arrangements for all families through changes to industrial awards. Key ACTU claims are:
following the birth of child – an extension from the current one year
entitlement to parental leave.
to work on a part-time basis until their child is at school.
sacrificing’ up to six weeks a year extra annual leave that could be used
for school holidays.
deliver children to school or childcare.
The major employer groups ACCI, Ai Group as well as the Howard Government are opposing the ACTU claims.
|
Working carers: ACTU estimate* (Aug 2004) |
% of workforce |
No. of people |
|
Have pre-school children |
28.8% |
2,774,868 |
|
Have older children |
13.3% |
1,281,450 |
|
Have other family members to care for |
5.7% |
549,193 |
|
Total – Have caring responsibilities |
46.6% |
4,489,891 |
care for relatives with a disability.
Media Conference – 9.30am Wednesday 1st September
Aust. Industrial Relations Commission
Nauru House, Level 39 – 80 Collins Street, Melbourne
Sharan Burrow – ACTU President
Cath Bowtell – ACTU Industrial Relations Officer
Jai Badu – Currently balancing work and caring
Media Contact: Susannah Greenleaf 0418 479 455
