Torfaen MS says women must not be put under pressure to return to work without childcare support

Torfaen MS Lynne Neagle has called on the Welsh Government to send out a clear message to employers in Wales not to put women under pressure to return to work ahead of appropriate childcare support.

The MS, used a question to the Deputy Minister Jane Hutt MS, to call on the Government to send a very clear message to employers that they need to be compassionate with working parents during this period in order to support them in maintaining their employment.

Lynne said: ‘As the economy starts to open up, I’m being contacted by increasing numbers of women who are under pressure to return to work although they have responsibilities for caring for children.’

With children unlikely to be back in fulltime school for some time, the MS also called on the Welsh Government to consider the use of ‘grandparent bubbles’ to help women get back to work ahead of the return of fulltime school.

In reply, the Minister said the mixing of households to enable childcare that often includes grandparents was part of the 21-day review process. ‘It’s certainly being considered, but the reopening of childcare facilities is important as well as the strong message to employers not to force a parent, particularly women, back to work without that childcare.’