Key issues in paid parental leave policy

Abstract

In 2002 New Zealand employees gained access to paid parental leave, but other countries established these benefits much earlier and/or used a mix of policy parameters. This article, which is framed within a comparative and feminist political economy perspective, compares paid parental leave programmes in two countries with similar welfare regimes: New Zealand and Canada. The article argues that delivering these benefits through social insurance, as is done in Canada, could elevate benefit levels for some workers but fewer women employees would tend to qualify.