Mothers want childcare at work

Working mothers want the government and employers to subsidise childcare facilities in the workplace.

The mothers made the call at a recent mini conference where non-governmental organisations noted that there were inconsistencies in legislation and bargaining agreements that made women feel punished for having children.

"We noted the fact that the state can pay youth subsidies so that the youth can be employed but has actually neglected looking at the younger children. So why can't the state also fund childcare facilities at work to benefit the young child?" Cosatu gender forum chairman Sharone Daniels said.

"Some mothers have to leave home very early to drop off their children at crèches and then get home very late. If their child is being taken care of at work, it would give the parent more time to be with the child and ease anxiety over safety," Daniels said.

Labour Research Service's Nina Benjamin said the call became more urgent since the increase of violence against children and longer working hours.

In a recent report, the International Labour Organisation said state-funded childcare was a core element of the support for adequate maternity and paternity at work.

"These should be free or be available at a reasonable charge in accordance with the workers' ability to pay, developed along flexible lines and meeting the needs of children of different ages," the report stated. It concluded that the state should offer incentives and support to employers.

SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry senior policy consultant Pietman Roos said, in principle, on-site childcare sounded good.

"We need to recognise that it is an additional cost to the employer but again there is also a possibility that the contribution by the employer can be tax deductible. If government comes to the party in that way then it's more feasible."

Labour lawyer Karen Ainslie said the provision of childcare facilities at work was a tricky issue.

"On the one hand the facilities will ensure that skilled women do not leave [employment] to start their families, when their employers have invested in their training," she said.

The department of labour chief director for advocacy and statutory services Virgil Seafield was unavailable to comment.