Paid Parental Leave

The Queensland Council of Unions and its affiliates have been fighting for improved conditions for working families in the lead-up to, and following, the birth of a child for decades.

Whilst we have been able to achieve significant gains for union members through bargaining such as paid maternity and parental leave, paid carers and family leave and flexible work arrangements, thousands of workers remain without basic internationally recognised rights.

The QCU has provided a submission to the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Paid Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave which will deliver its findings in February 2009. In essence, the QCU submission calls for:

• a minimum standard of 14 weeks paid parental leave (plus 9% superannuation) for the woman or primary care-giver of the child
• the paid parental leave scheme would replace the current baby bonus entitlement
• the Federal Government would provide a basic 14 week payment at minimum wage levels with those in paid employment receiving a top-up from their employer to their normal wage level.