Maternal Access to 26 weeks part-Government-Funded Paid Parental Leave

We, the undersigned organisations and individuals, make this statement of support for the current Paid Parental Leave scheme.

The Scheme enacted by the Parliament has the twin objectives of enhancing child and maternal well being and supporting parental work force participation. The universal Government scheme underpins whatever employees are able to obtain by negotiation with employers, with the aim of extending total paid leave as close as possible to a full 26 weeks recommended by the World Health Organisation.

We are dismayed by the proposal to remove access to the minimum leave entitlements provided by Government scheme for all employees entitled to additional employer-funded paid parental leave.

The proposal flies in the face of universal acknowledgement of the benefits of 26 weeks leave and of the findings of the evaluation of the Government scheme.

For the following reasons, we call on the Government to reverse its stated position and guarantee universal access to Government-funded paid parental leave:

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