The government’s proposal for maternity leave payment to shift collectively on all employers through a 0.3 per cent increase in their social security contributions was a departure from the practice that social security contributions were paid equally by employers, government and employees.

In a position statement, the association proposed that the increased cost would be shared equally by employers and government - 0.15 per cent by employers and 0.15 per cent by the government.

The MEA’s position paper in full can be read in the pdf link below.