The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) has challenged Senator Pauline Hanson’s recent comments at the National Press Club questioning the need for paid parental leave and suggesting employers should not support workers on maternity leave.
NAWIC Chief Executive Officer Cathryn Greville said the remarks risked sending Australia backwards at the very moment when the construction sector is working hard to attract and retain more women, even with Ms Hanson’s later clarification that she would not seek to cut government funded parental leave.
“Questioning whether women should receive paid parental leave and implying that businesses should not play a role in supporting new parents is not only out of step with modern Australian and global workplaces, but also economically short sighted,” Ms Greville said.
“In construction, where women remain significantly underrepresented, paid parental leave is a critical workforce tool that keeps skilled people in the industry rather than pushing them out when they start a family.
“Rolling back leave or pushing women out of the workforce would widen the gender pay and wealth gaps, and reduce the pool of skilled workers our industry urgently needs.”
From 1 July, the government’s paid parental leave scheme will expand to 26 weeks at the national minimum wage, a reform designed to improve workforce retention and reduce the gender pay and superannuation gaps.
Ms Greville says undermining either government funded or employer funded leave damages participation, productivity and long-term retirement outcomes for women.
“Framing parental leave as a ‘cost’ to business ignores the reality that replacing experienced staff is far more expensive than supporting them through a relatively short period of leave,” she said.
“Construction companies that offer strong parental leave and flexible work know this is about retaining talent and project continuity, not charity.”
NAWIC also rejected any suggestion that debates about paid parental leave are separate from Australia’s gender pay gap, noting that interruptions to work and superannuation compound over a woman’s career.
In contrast to proposals to wind back support, NAWIC is calling for a constructive, evidence based conversation with industry, government and unions about what parents in construction actually need – including stable, high quality childcare, flexible work options on and off site, and policies that keep women connected to their careers.
To help drive that conversation, NAWIC will host a roundtable on 31 July in Newcastle bringing together local employers, unions, training providers and community leaders to discuss how best to support parents and carers in construction and related trades.
The roundtable will consider practical measures to improve parental leave access, job security on return from leave, and the availability of childcare that works for site based and shift-based roles.
“We invite political leaders from all parties to listen to the experience of women in construction and to focus on policies that strengthen, rather than weaken, their participation,” Ms Greville said.
“Australia cannot afford to turn the clock back on paid parental leave least of all in an industry facing skills shortages and ambitious infrastructure and housing targets.”
Learn more about the parental leave roundtable ‘Off Site, Not Out of Mind’, and how to register at www.nawic.com.au
Media contact:
Claudine Murphy
Communications and Media Manager
[email protected] | 0417 938 542