HIGH childcare costs are blocking new parents from returning to the pharmacy workforce, Professional Pharmacists Australia (PPA) President, Dr Geoff March, believes.
Speaking to Pharmacy Daily, the union boss said many pharmacists who have had children are "simply working to pay childcare fees".
"Childcare is expensive, and a barrier for many pharmacists wanting to return to their careers after having children," he said.
"Women should be able to return to work, and their careers, to earn money not just pay for childcare."
March expressed disappointment at the Federal Government's failure to provide greater support for childcare in last week's Budget.
"Pharmacists have been on the front line of the fight to keep our community healthy and safe," he said.
"For a short period, they were able to see what life would be like if they could earn a living wage without the burden of childcare fees.
"Our members are disappointed the Morrison Government has wound back these measures and that there is very little for women in the Budget.
"We know that when the Government childcare subsidies are increased, so too is women's participation in the workforce.
"Now more than ever we need accessible and affordable childcare to support families to get back to work."
Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victorian Branch President, Anthony Tassone, said childcare subsidies were important to all Australians, "with pharmacy staff no exception".
"With community pharmacy staff considered essential workers and having been able to continue to work in pharmacies as a permitted business throughout COVID restrictions in Victoria - appropriate support for childcare services is of importance to ensure that there is no disruption or interruption to our workforce who have parental responsibilities," he said.
Meanwhile, PPA's March added that there is a need for employers to provide flexible working arrangements and facilities for breastfeeding mothers to support women to return to the pharmacy workforce.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 13 Oct 20
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