SDLP Jobs spokesperson and Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughn
She called on DUP Economy Minister Diane Dodds to address barriers to women’s employment as part of a recovery plan.
Ms McLaughlin was responding to the findings of PwC’s Women in Work 2021 index which shows that the North has the lowest female labour force participation in the UK.
Said the Foyle MLA: “Flawed childcare and employment policy creates barriers to employment for parents in Northern Ireland, but particularly for women.
“The current provision for full-time paid maternity leave of 12 weeks is one of the lowest of both the European Union and the OECD.
“Moreover, a NISRA report found that amongst women who are economically inactive, the most cited reason was looking after family.
“Contrastingly, this was the lowest ranked reason amongst men who were economically inactive. PwC’s Women in Work 2021 index reflects this reality.
“The findings also show that there is a real opportunity to unlock economic growth as increasing female labour force participation is estimated to increase economic output by 5.5 per cent.
“It is therefore essential that current barriers to employment are addressed and corrected as part of a recovery plan.
“It was hugely disappointing to see that there was no mention of childcare in Minister Diane Dodds’ recent Economic Recovery Action Plan.
“Given need for increased childcare provision to enable parents to return to work, increase employment levels and grow the economy, I have tabled a written question raising this issue.
“If Minister Dodds is serious about economic recovery and growth, she must make increasing female labour force participation a priority.”
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