“We must support mothers striving for work-life balance” – General Workers’ Union
In recent weeks, several female members of the Professionals, Finance, and Services Section of the General Workers’ Union have reached out to express their concerns about the challenges they face when returning to work after taking their maternity leave. While motherhood is a fundamental right and a natural phase in many women’s lives, we continue to see situations in which mothers are penalized rather than supported.
The primary issue is the “motherhood penalty.” This phenomenon leads to women losing opportunities, being reassigned to different positions, or being denied flexible work arrangements simply because they have become mothers. Some members reported difficulty returning to the same role they held before maternity leave, while others had their requests for remote work denied, despite having had no issues before. For many mothers, remote work is essential for balancing work and family responsibilities.
“This is not just a matter of workplace fairness; it is a social and national issue. We cannot expect pregnant women and new mothers to re-enter the workforce without the necessary support to do so with dignity and stability,” stated Secretary Riccarda Darmanin.
She further explained that mothers returning to work often have to secure childcare spots for their children months in advance and, once they return to work, must strictly adhere to the schedules they arranged. This places additional pressure on families already struggling with logistical and financial challenges.
“It is time for the authorities to take this issue seriously. We cannot continue to promote policies that encourage women to have children and then leave them to face a system that offers minimal support,” she emphasized.
Darmanin called for the establishment of clear and enforceable mechanisms to guarantee:
– A safe and non-discriminatory return to the same positions held before maternity leave.
– Access to flexible arrangements, including remote work options where feasible.
– Childcare solutions that align with the realities working parents face, rather than the other way around.
The motherhood penalty is not an individual issue; it is a structural problem that affects all families and our economy. If we aspire to create a society that truly values and supports families, we must begin by advocating for the needs of mothers striving to balance work and home life.
