Observación (CEACR) - Adopción: 2000, Publicación: 89ª reunión CIT (2001)

The Committee notes the various measures taken by the Government to ensure workers with family responsibilities have equal opportunity and treatment. It notes that the Cash Benefit Scheme for Parents with Small Children Act entered into force on 1 August 1998 and is applicable to all parents with children between the ages of one to three, irrespective of financial means, except when the child attends a day-care centre which receives a grant from the Government. Families with children in part-time day care receive a partial cash benefit. In this regard it notes the amendments to sections 31, 32 and 33A of the 1977 Worker Protection and Working Environment Act (WEA) extending the right of leave of absence for childcare including where parental responsibility is allocated under sections 36 and 37 of the Children’s Act as well as for children with special needs. The Committee also notes with interest that the number of fathers making use of their rights to enjoy parental benefits has increased from 1 per cent in 1993 when it was introduced, to the current figure of nearly 80 per cent, and asks the Government to continue to supply information on these and other measures aimed at increasing the role of the father in caring for small children, a recommendation of the Working Party for the Role of the Male referred to in earlier comments.