QNMU secures major wins for QLD's largest female workforce
Published: 06 May 2024
The Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) today welcomes and celebrates the announcement of state government initiatives to address gender inequity.
QNMU Secretary Sarah Beaman said today’s announcement meant Queensland’s predominantly female public nurse and midwife workforce would receive super for unpaid parental leave up to 12 months – and 10 days paid leave for reproductive health issues.
This leave includes fertility and IVF, preventative breast and prostate screening and treatment for conditions including menopause and endometriosis.
“Today’s announcement of super for unpaid parental leave up to 12 months and 10 days paid leave for reproductive health issues is a major win for Queensland’s largest, predominantly female workforce,” Ms Beaman said.
“In fact, super on unpaid parental leave could mean tens of thousands of dollars for hard working nurses and midwives upon retirement. It’s important to note, women who retire with less as a result of missed super can face homelessness and extreme financial struggles.
“It’s high time hard working public nurses and midwives received paid super for the time they take to care for their families. We also celebrate leave for menopause, preventative screening and other issues linked to reproductive health.
“We applaud the state government for making this ground breaking announcement to support the state’s nurses and midwives.”
Ms Beaman said the state government announcement would help ensure the wellbeing and financial security of Queensland’s public nurses and midwives. It will also show QH nurses and midwives they are valued and respected. This will also act as an incentive to attract other skilled nurses and midwives to Queensland. The QNMU would like to see the same conditions put in place in private facilities.
The QNMU is Queensland’s largest union representing the largest, predominantly female workforce in the state.
“Our nurses and midwives are the backbone of Queensland’s health system and they deserve to be treated and paid with respect,” Ms Beaman said.
“After years of providing quality care for the community and their families, nurses and midwives deserve security and freedom upon retirement. They also deserve to be able to screen for and treat issues linked to their own health and wellbeing.
“We applaud the state government for hearing the QNMU’s calls for super on unpaid parental leave and paid leave for the identification and treatment of reproductive health issues.”
The state’s paid reproductive health leave will cover everything from fertility treatment such as IVF to treatment for conditions including endometriosis and menopause. It also includes preventative breast and prostate screening and reproductive health treatment such as a hysterectomy or vasectomy.
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