To ensure the nation has sufficient workers, it is essential that women are employed and properly paid. Women have always worked but their contribution to the national economy has been mostly ignored. Without women in the nursing and teaching professions the nation would be unable to continue as a First World Nation. As the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age, it is essential that women are encouraged to remain in the workforce.
Paid Maternity Leave should be available to all women in the paid workforce. It should be available as an entitlement for casual, part time and self employed women as well as full time workers.
It should comprise at least 14 weeks paid by the Federal Government at the level of the minimum wage.
The wage may be topped up by employer contributions negotiated by unions or individual mothers.
Paid Maternity Leave is similar to superannuation paid to aid a person's financial situation at retirement and is a mandatory contribution by employers and attracts a tax benefit paid by the Federal Government.
The Federal Productivity Commission is examining the issue so we suggest all men and women should send an email to parentalsupport@pc.gov.au to lobby the Productivity Commission for this important advance for women workers.
Click here to read the Submission to the Productivity Commission by Women's Electoral Lobby Australia. It is Submission No. 111 in the Productivity Commission website www.pc.gov.au/inquiry/parentalsupport. WEL appeared before the Productivity Commission in Sydney on 20 May 2008.
Then lobby your federal politicians by sending an email to them.
See below for a suggested email.