In a huge step forward for women’s health, public sector workers in Victoria will now get five days of reproductive and period leave.
The new leave is for women dealing with period pain, menopause and perimenopause, as well as IVF treatment.
As part of a four-year deal for public servants in Victoria, the deal also includes an annual pay rise of three percent, a one-off cost of living payment of $5600 and superannuation payment length doubled to 104 weeks those on parental leave.
The result comes after two weeks of bargaining between the Victorian government and the Community and Public Sector Union, with the State treasurer signing the agreement on Tuesday.
Premier Jacinta Allan shared her support for the entitlements by stating “it’s a recognition that, at particular points in women’s lives, they need support to be able to fully participate in the workforce.”
This year, Victoria also launched an inquiry into women’s pain following a survey that revealed half of women in the state experience pain related to periods, reproductive conditions like endometriosis, menopause, pregnancy, birth and postnatal care.
The survey also showed that women’s health conditions are holding them back in the workforce, with one in three women stating that these conditions affects their career and ability to hold down a job.
The premier, who has been open about her own battle with endometriosis, said of the inquiry, “it’s time we stopped treating women’s health like some kind of niche issue. We deserve to have our pain believed and relieved.”
In recognising that women may need support at certain times in their life, the new leave is an important step forward for women’s health in the state.
Hopefully, the private sector and the rest of Australia will follow suit.
