Labour set to reject National move for parental leave for both parents at same time

NZ Herald 14 November 2017
Labour is likely to oppose a National Party amendment to allow fathers and mothers to take paid parental leave at the same time under a proposed amendment to the Paid Parental Leave Bill.

National’s justice spokeswoman Amy Adams will put in an amendment to the Bill currently going through Parliament to allow parents to take some of the leave entitlement at the same time, rather than one parent only.

She said the fulltime support of both parents was important in some cases, such as multiple births or premature births where a baby had higher needs.

“What they need most at that time is for both partners to be together for a short period of time to bond and work with each other.”

The Paid Parental Leave Bill which will increase paid leave from 18 to 22 weeks next year and 26 weeks in 2020.

Labour’s Workplace Relations Minister Iain Lees-Galloway said Labour was yet to see the wording but was likely to oppose the amendment.

He said Labour could consider such a move in the future but was concerned it would reduce the time a child would have with primary caregivers.

“The whole purpose of providing Paid Parental Leave is to provide time for babies to bond with a primary caregiver.”
READ MORE: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11943848