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Women
Aust and US worst in OECD on maternity
Australia and the US are the only remaining OECD countries without paid maternity leave laws, after New Zealand passed new legislation last week.
New Zealand's Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Paid Parental Leave) Amendment Bill, passed on Thursday, provides 12 weeks pay at up to NZ$325 a week or 100% of weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
The $325 maximum amount, according to a Government briefing paper, is equal to 53% of average weekly earnings or 70% of average female weekly earnings.
To qualify for the payment, mothers must have worked for 12 months for an average of at least 10 hours a week with the same employer.
The Government expects 20,000 women workers each year to benefit - 15,000 full-time and 5,000 part-time - when the law takes effect on July 1.
It forecasts that up to half of women wage and salary earners will get 80% of their earnings and about 40% will get 100%.
The next catalyst for debate on maternity pay is expected to be Sex Discrimination Commissioner Pru Goward's options paper on the subject. After a long gestation period, the paper is due to be released this month.
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