STIMULUS PACKAGE WELCOME - BUT DON'T OVERLOOK WOMEN

3 February 2009

SA Unions says women continue to be a blind spot in the federal government's thinking, with today's much welcomed economic stimulus package failing to address Paid Maternity Leave.

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says investment in infrastructure is good for the nation, and particularly welcomes the capital investment in schools.

However, Ms Giles says the needs of women have not been given due consideration.

"The Rudd Government seems to be gender blind.  Its announcement hasn't acknowledged women's needs as being different and hasn't drawn on the US and British experience that women are far more likely to lose their jobs in a recession than men."

"Women are more vulnerable and tend to be employed in low paid, precarious jobs.  The majority of them do not have access to any form of Paid Maternity Leave."

"Paid Maternity Leave in itself is an important economic stimulus."

"It secures employment by protecting women's jobs."

"It stimulates the economy by giving women financial certainty.  Instead of having to stash their cash prior to have a child, PML enables them to keep spending in the knowledge their income will be maintained under this scheme."

"The other huge advantage of a national PML scheme is that it doesn't put the responsibility for PML on employers, leaving capital free for other purposes."

"It's disappointing that PML isn't a part of this otherwise sound stimulus package.  However, we will continue to lobby for it to be included in the May federal budget", Ms Giles says.