The GRTU said today that it welcomed the fact that self-employed women will be paid for four weeks of maternity leave by the government – the first time that maternity leave is being paid to the self-employed.

In a statement, the GRTU said it was proud to have been the one to make this request and it was grateful that the government had accepted it.

The GRTU said it was confident that in the future, self-employed women would be paid the rest of maternity leave, as enjoyed by employees – who will have 18 weeks of maternity leave.

Such measures, the GRTU said, encouraged more women to consider self-employment.

In terms of the Budget speech, maternity leave will be extended by two weeks from January 1, and another two weeks in 2013, with the government paying a flat rate of €160 per week.

The GRTU said self-employed women who pay their social security contributions will be eligible for government  payment for the four weeks. Women who are registered as employees in their husbands’ business or are partners or directors in the family firm will also receive the payment.