Millions of workers to get 12 extra days of leave under bold new proposal – what you need to know
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The Albanian government is being urged to grant all workers 12 days of reproductive leave to cover IVF treatments, severe menstrual pain, menopause, vasectomies and gender reassignment therapies.
The influential Health Services Union (HSU) is launching a national campaign on Monday to enshrine leave rights in the National Employment Standards (NES).
Union representatives want meetings with senior ministers including Health Minister Mark Butler, Employment Relations Minister Murray Watt and Women’s Minister Katy Gallagher.
This latest step goes beyond the ten days of reproductive leave currently being called for by the trade union movement, including its main body ACTU.
The expanded leave also allows employees to take time off for appointments regarding contraception, fertility treatments, hysterectomies, hormone therapy, health issues, miscarriages, breast and prostate cancer screenings, abortions, and health issues related to endometriosis, pregnancy and polycystic ovary syndrome.
The HSU has already signed an agreement with Scope, one of Australia’s largest providers of disability services, which will now entitle hundreds of workers in Victoria to the scheme.
However, the union’s assistant national secretary Kate Marshall, who underwent fertility treatment to conceive her twin daughters after two miscarriages, said all workers are entitled to the “crucial” leave.
“You shouldn’t be lucky enough to have an understanding boss,” she said.
Albanian government is being urged to grant all workers 12 days of reproductive leave to cover IVF treatments, severe menstrual pain, menopause, vasectomies and gender reassignment therapies (stock image)
‘Including 12 days of reproductive leave as a minimum right for all workers will bring enormous benefits to the entire economy.
‘Women can stay in the labour market longer, build up more pension and help us close the gender pay gap.’
In Queensland, public sector workers have been granted ten days of reproductive leave since July this year. This leave covers fertility and IVF treatments, chronic reproductive health conditions, hysterectomies, vasectomies and preventive screenings for breast and prostate cancer.
Worldwide, Japan and South Korea are entitled to fertility treatments for ten and six days per year respectively.
When contacted, Minister Butler and Minister Watt’s office could not confirm the government’s support for the HSU’s proposed reproductive leave program.
A government spokesperson said there are already legal leave requirements that allow employees to take time off for certain reproductive health issues, such as personal/carer leave. Compassionate leave can also be used in circumstances involving miscarriage.
The spokesperson also said he pointed to company agreements that now include rights such as reproductive health leave or menopause leave.
“The Albanian Government recognizes that reproductive health issues can impact the health, well-being and economic security of women,” the authorities said.
When contacted, Minister Butler and Minister Watt’s office did not confirm that the government supports the HSU’s proposed reproductive leave scheme (stock image)
‘The NES in the Fair Work Act provide statutory minimum employment rights and a safety net for Australian workers.
‘Employers and employees can also negotiate rights that are better than the minimum standards.’
Earlier this year, labor groups also told a Senate committee on menopause and perimenopause that worker groups were also calling for specific leave provisions for reproductive health issues. The committee is set to release its findings later this month, on September 17.