ACTU Welcomes NT's 14-Week Benchmark

Date: 21 October 2002

The ACTU has welcomed the Northern Territory Government's decision to increase paid maternity leave entitlements to 14 weeks for all women working for the NT public service.

The decision announced today by Northern Territory Chief Minister Clare Martin sets a new national benchmark for public sector maternity leave provisions in Australia.

ACTU Secretary Greg Combet said he hoped the Federal Government and other States would follow the NT Government's lead in providing 14 weeks paid maternity leave.

The Federal Government currently provides 12 weeks paid maternity leave. Entitlements for other state public servants vary from nil to 12 weeks.

The NT's new 14-week standard is consistent with ACTU policy, the International Labor Organisation's maternity leave convention and the recommendations of the World Health Organisation.

"The Northern Territory Government should be congratulated for setting the pace on paid maternity leave entitlements in Australia," Mr Combet said.

"Balancing work and family commitments is a critical issue for most employees. All working women should have access to 14 weeks paid maternity leave as a basis for building family friendly workplaces."

For further information

Contact:	Jeremy Vermeesh
Union:	ACTU
Contact Mobile:	0408 513849
WWW:	http://www.actu.asn.au

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