Harre suggests task force on paid leave

By AUDREY YOUNG political reporter

The thorny Coalition issue of paid parental leave might be best delegated to a task force including employers and unions, says Alliance minister Laila Harre.

The policy has been a point of tension between the Alliance and Labour, especially between Laila Harre, the Women's Affairs Minister, and Prime Minister Helen Clark.

The Alliance wants 12 weeks' leave, paid for by a levy on employers. Labour wants to start at six weeks, financed from general taxation.

Helen Clark has promised some action in this term of government, but no movement is expected in this year's Budget.

Ms Harre is studying parental leave policies on a visit to Britain and Ireland.

Marking International Women's Day yesterday, she said it was "particularly sad that a policy with so much public support and the power to do such good for working parents has become a symbol of difference within the Government rather than one of unity.

"So I have been giving some thought to a process involving the Coalition partners, unions, employers and community organisations which could help progress this and other issues affecting those with family responsibilities who are in paid employment.

"There's nothing like 12,000 miles of land and ocean to restore a sense of perspective."

Ms Harre said parental leave in Britain and Ireland was paid from a fund mostly built from employer contributions.

Employers Federation chief executive Anne Knowles said employers would be prepared to play a constructive part in a task force.

But they would resist any suggestion that employers fund paid parental leave. They were already required to hold open a job for a year for a new mother or father.

Women's groups rallied in Wellington and Auckland yesterday to promote 14 weeks' paid parental leave - the minimum advocated by the International Labour Organisation.

Alliance MP Liz Gordon said 14 weeks was likely to become the new benchmark for her party.

Present law allows male and female employees a maximum of 52 weeks unpaid parental leave.

It can be made up of several types of leave - up to 14 weeks' maternity leave, up to two weeks' paternity leave, or up to 52 weeks extended leave.

A Department of Labour database on employment contracts suggests that only 1 per cent of employers provide terms better than the statutory minimum.

It is common in public service collective contracts for mothers returning to work from unpaid parental leave to be given six weeks' pay. They get this six months after returning to work.