Paid Parental Leave Could Have Adverse Impact

Monday 5th Mar 2001 Dr Muriel Newman Media Release -- Other

A system of compulsory paid parental leave could lead to increased discrimination against women in the workforce, ACT Employment Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman said.

“Any scheme which makes it compulsory for employers to provide for paid parental leave runs the risk of having the opposite effect to that planned. Instead of helping women – particularly young women – to get into the workforce, this may discourage employers from hiring them.

“ACT believes the issue of whether paid parental leave should be provided is a matter for individual employers and employees and should not be forced upon people.

“Having a child is a matter of personal choice. Employers should certainly not be asked to pay for it. Likewise, it would be unfair for this Government to decree that the taxpayer should front up with the money.

“The paid parental leave proposals are just another example of this Government’s increasing desire to regulate away people’s individual freedom and sense of responsibility,” Dr Newman said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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