Tuesday, 26 April 2005

Turner welcomes extending of parental leave

United Future deputy leader Judy Turner has welcomed the Government’s announcement that parental leave scheme will be extended to the self-employed, saying that United Future had pushed for this in this year’s Budget bids.

“It makes sense and addresses a clear anomaly,” Mrs Turner said.

“We have pushed for some time for the common sense approach that would make parental leave payable to parents, regardless of whether they are employed by others or work for themselves.

“The stresses and strains of a new baby in a family are there regardless of how the parents are employed. This is a good move,” she said.

Fourteen weeks paid parental leave will be available to self-employed mothers who have been working an average of 10 hours per week during the six months before the birth or date of adoption of a child (with the same right to transfer to their partners as applies for employees.)

ENDS

© Scoop Media