TALKING POINT: Should the State subsidise childcare for working moms?

A call for the government and employers to subsidise childcare facilities in the workplace is being greeted with enthusiasm, and scepticism, amongst readers of The Times.

See the story generating debate: Mothers want childcare at work

Tax breaks for employers who offer crèches as well as state funding of childcare at or near workplaces are being mooted by NGOs and trade unions, a proposal that potentially could facilitate the retention of working mothers’s experience and skills in the workplace. Private childcare is a major expense for – tax-paying –mothers, costing an estimated R4500 a month for two children at a typically middle-class creche.

“The state should pay, we are already paying too much tax,” says Enneth Mgidi. “It will especially be good for those single mothers who move to other cities for work,” Mgidi said in an email to tellus@thetimes.co.za.

Sandra Zach commented: “There are huge benefits to having onsite child care.  Many companies are already doing this with success because the companies are subsidising the service at their own costs or parents are paying the full rate of an outside crèche facility.  This service benefits both the parents and the employer, by taking away one of the daily stresses of raising children whilst having to work productively, creating peace of mind for everyone concerned”.

However, “Asking the state to pay for this is a bit of stretch”, she believes.

Instead, she endorsed tax breaks for employers and suggested that the Lotto could subsidise pre-schools for lower-income families.

“There are far too many children who are suffering and have been abandoned who would benefit from a daily educational environment giving them a chance of becoming functioning adults,” she said. “I do believe that Lotto can get involved in this one.”

In the private sector, Zach proposed:

Child-care being included in employment contracts and packages, as are car, petrol and entertainment allowances.

Government’s participation with tax breaks for companies providing such a service.

Lianne Lippert questioned the affordability of the proposal.

“When will Cosatu and the rest wake up and realise that we, the taxpayer, are not bottomless pits for them to feed off? Or if employers have to pay, where is the money supposed to come from - eventually lay-offs will start to cover their rising costs. This is getting ridiculous, this culture of handouts we are encouraging.”

JOIN THE DEBATE: Email tellus@thetimes.co.za or post your comments on Facebook and Twitter #childcare