HSU calls on Albanese government to give all workers 12 days of reproductive leave

All Australian workers could get an extra 12 days of leave a year for severe period pain, hormone therapy and vasectomies, under a new push by a powerful union.

The Albanese government is being called to give all workers 12 days reproductive leave to cover IVF treatments, severe period pain, menopause, vasectomies and gender transitioning therapies.

The powerful Health Services Union (HSU) on Monday will begin a national campaign for the leave entitlement to be enshrined into the National Employment Standards (NES).

Union representatives seeking meetings with senior cabinet ministers including Health Minister Mark Butler, Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt and Minister for Women Katy Gallagher.

This most recent push goes beyond the 10 days of reproductive leave the union movement, including peak body the ACTU, is currently calling for.

The wide-ranging leave would allow also employees to take time off for contraception appointments, to seek fertility treatments, hysterectomies, hormone therapy, health issues, miscarriage, screenings for breast and prostate cancer, abortions plus health issues related to endometriosis, pregnancy, polycystic ovary syndrome.

Under the HSU’s campaign, reproductive leave would be made available to workers of all genders, for things like IVF, severe menstrual pain, vasectomies and screenings for prostate cancer and breast cancer. Picture: iStock

The HSU has already signed an agreement with Scope, one of Australia’s largest disability services provider, giving hundreds of its Victorian workers granted access to the entitlement.

However the union’s national senior assistant secretary Kate Marshall, who received fertility treatment to conceive her twin daughters after two miscarriages, said all workers deserved to have the “critical” leave.

“It shouldn’t be down to being lucky enough to have an understanding boss,” she said.

“Making 12 days’ reproductive leave part of the minimum entitlements for all workers will have incredible benefits across the entire economy.

“Women will be able to stay in the workforce longer, build more superannuation and help us close the gender pay gap.”

In Queensland, public sector workers were given 10 days of reproductive leave as of July this year, which covers fertility and IVF treatment, chronic reproductive health conditions, hysterectomies, vasectomies and preventive screenings for breast and prostate cancers.

The HSU will call on Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt to make the leave entitlement available to all workers through the National Employment Standards. Picture: NewsWire/ Christian Gilles

Globally, Japan and South Korea have up to 10 and six days a year for fertility treatments.

When contacted, Minister Butler and Minister Watt’s office did not confirm the government’s support for the HSU’s proposed reproductive leave scheme.

A government spokesperson said there were already legislated leave requirements which allow workers time off for some reproductive health concerns like personal/ carer’s leave. Compassionate leave can also be used in circumstances involving a miscarriage.

The spokesperson also said pointed towards enterprise agreements which were now beginning to included entitlements such as reproductive health leave or menopause leave.

“The Albanese government recognises that reproductive health issues can impact women’s health, wellbeing and economic security,” they said.

“The NES in the Fair Work Act provide legislated minimum employment entitlements and are a safety net for Australian workers.

“Employers and employees can also bargain for entitlements that improve on minimum standards.”

Earlier this year, union groups also told a senate committee on menopause and perimenopause on reproductive leave also heard from worker bodies calling for specific leave entitlements for reproductive health concerns, with the committee set to release its findings later this month on September 17.