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New fathers feel a sense of “betrayal” following the revelation that Labour’s proposed employment rights legislation will not deliver a promised “day one” right to statutory pay for paternity leave, according to advocates.
Reports indicate that while the forthcoming bill is set to provide approximately 30,000 additional new fathers each year with access to statutory paternity leave, eligibility for statutory pay will still require them to have worked with the same employer for at least nine months.
This development has ignited frustration among Labour party members and advocates pushing for improved paternity leave policies. The situation has led to efforts to influence ministers to reassess the proposed measures, with a series of amendments planned for discussion in the House of Lords on Tuesday.
The Fatherhood Institute has been actively campaigning for a minimum of six weeks of well-compensated leave during the first year of a child’s life. The organization characterized the absence of immediate pay rights for new fathers as a significant disappointment.
Kathy Jones, CEO of the institute, stated that government ministers had highlighted the employment rights bill as a pivotal advancement, adding that further reforms were expected following a parental leave review later this year. “Establishing paternity leave and pay as a day one entitlement seemed like a positive step toward addressing long-ignored issues in this policy area,” she explained. “Learning that the pay aspect is excluded feels like a betrayal.”
This upcoming Tuesday, Labour peer Ruth Lister will propose an amendment aimed at ensuring the government’s anticipated review of parental leave considers the implementation of a “daddy month,” similar to practices in Scandinavian countries, featuring improved pay and inclusivity for self-employed fathers.
“Merely extending day one rights falls short in addressing the inadequate treatment of fathers,” she remarked. “While women disproportionately bear the burden of childcare responsibilities, it hampers their ability to fully participate in the workforce.”
Additionally, Conservative peer Joanna Penn will present an amendment in the Lords that would grant new fathers eligibility for statutory parental pay from the start of their employment. “Claiming to establish a day one right to paternity leave is meaningless without corresponding funding for pay,” she emphasized. “With the already low rate of statutory parental pay, many fathers cannot afford to take leave, and an unpaid two-week period is simply unfeasible for most.”
Labour MP Stella Creasy, who contributed to securing a government review of parental leave rights in the employment rights legislation, warned that neglecting to enhance rights for fathers would only reinforce discrimination against maternity rights.
“There is widespread recognition among parliamentarians about the necessity of preventing discrimination against women for having children. Fathers also require time with their children, which benefits both families and the economy,” she stated.
A growing coalition advocating for improved rights for fathers has formed in Westminster, with numerous Labour MPs allying with the campaign group The Dad Shift. Advocates assert that the UK’s paternity leave offerings are among the least generous globally, ranking 40th out of 43 OECD countries.
Currently, employed fathers in the UK are entitled to just two weeks of statutory paternity leave, compensated at £187.18 per week, which is less than half of the national living wage and constitutes a mere 1.9% of total government expenditure on parental leave.
Source
www.theguardian.com