Returning mums face wage issues

A north Louth Councillor has highlighted ‘a discriminatory anomaly’ towards women returning to work from maternity leave during the pandemic.

Cllr Edel Corrigan said: ‘Employers have found that due to an ‘irregularity’ they are unable to access the temporary wage subsidy scheme for new mothers returning from maternity leave as they were not officially on the payroll at 29th February.’

Cllr Corrigan has described this as unacceptable and ‘an anomaly that could and should be readily fixed as a matter of urgency. Going by the Government’s own timetable for re-opening the country’s economy, we are not expected to be back on any firm employment footing until late August or September with many workers accessing financial help until perhaps the end of the year. We should not expect new mothers to be excluded from this support.’

Cllr Corrigan said she had been approached by numerous women who found themselves in this situation and had related to her how it had added to an already stressful situation.

‘ These women have found themselves in an unprecedented situation, unable to access the usual emotional and social supports afforded to new mothers. Maternity leave is designed to give the mother time to bond with her baby, attend medical appointments, to attend baby groups which are vital for baby development and educational for parents, and to prepare childminding for returning to work.’

‘Bearing in mind that most babies born in recent months have not even met their grandparents yet let alone friends and other extended family members so the mothers have not had that physical and emotional support that would be normal and vital at this time. Many have had to cope alone as their partners have had to continue working with the possibility of carrying the Coronavirus home to their new-born.

She asked for reassurance for new families that they will not be discriminated against and will be afforded their rights and this ‘anomaly’ will be addressed.’