The AMWU has welcomed the announcement of an 18 week Paid Parental Leave scheme in this year’s federal budget.

AMWU National Secretary, Dave Oliver, said that the scheme was the most significant improvement to Australians’ rights at work since universal superannuation was introduced in the 1980s.

“While the scheme is a great step forward, it is still a fair way behind the standards enjoyed by most OECD countries,” said Mr Oliver.

“We now have the challenge of pushing employers to make a contribution - to top the government contribution, including the maintenance of superannuation during paid leave, and to make up the difference between the government paid minimum wage, and the full rate of a worker’s weekly wage.”

On the government side of the agenda, Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard should be congratulated for taking this step forward, and they should be encouraged to improve it by lengthening the scheme in the near future.

Family is an important part of our lives, and the union will continue to campaign to raise standards to help families at work.

Mums and dads should be able to take time off work to be with their baby without the financial strain of any reduction in pay.

The scheme, which starts in 2011:

• guarantees a minimum 18 weeks leave
• is paid at the minimum wage
• can be taken by either parent
• is available to everyone earning under $150 000; and
• is paid to part-time and casual employees in full.

The AMWU's campaign will continue to push for further improvements to families' rights at work, including:

1. Employers should top up the minimum rate paid by the government so you get your full rate of pay, including superannuation.
2. The Government should increase the amount of leave, which is low by the standards of other OECD countries.