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View Full Version : Union calls for 6 months paid maternity leave



Newshound
09-04-2008, 04:58 PM
The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has apparently called for 6 months paid maternity leave, although the ACTU believes 14 weeks is more realistic and more in-line with international standards.

Read the full article here on Fairfax Digital (http://smallbusiness.theage.com.au/starting/workplace/union-call-for-longer-leave-909847800.html?s_cid=rss_smallbiz)

Moz
10-04-2008, 04:31 PM
My view is that we should have more maternity leave - I think it's terrible that many women are forced to leave their baby in child care sometimes only weeks after giving birth, because they can't afford to do otherwise.

BUT going straight to 14 weeks fully paid child care is going to put an enormous burden on many businesses, especially those who employ lots of young women. If 14 weeks maternity leave were legislated it would probably result in some businesses avoiding hiring younger women who are at an age when they could become pregnant. Or it will increase use of temp or contract workers to avoid the responsibility.

Maybe it's something the Federal Government should subsidise, after all we as a nation need to increase our birth rate, so perhaps we as a nation should pay for it, rather creating an enormous impost on certain businesses.