Madam, – I would like to draw readers’ attention to the issues surrounding French minister for justice Rachida Dati’s return to her ministerial duties five days after having her baby.
First of all no journalists, including the Irish Timescoverage (January 14th), have seen fit to comment on the work/life schedule of Ms Dati's partner – the baby's father.
Second, as a minister, Ms Dati does not hold a permanent pensionable post for life.
She must fight to keep her post and campaign at the next election to retain her parliamentary seat.
Third, Ms Dati’s actions and the critical responses highlight the plight of an increasing number of women, in the current economic downturn, who are similarly “not well placed” in the labour market – many of whom are on the periphery engaged on contracts of limited duration, running small/medium enterprises, partners in law/accounting firms, providing assistance to family farms/businesses.
Located in such precarious forms of employment they are not entitled to statutory maternity leave and their partners have no rights to statutory paternity leave. Under such circumstances, the decision to have a baby can have serious and negative consequences for their careers and their immediate income.
Fourth, in an ever-tightening labour market, with predicted downsizing/closures, the segment of women who are entitled to paid maternity leave will decrease and more women will be faced with the dilemma: “When is it safe to have a baby?” and/or “Will I have a job to come back to?” – not simply due to maternity but because jobs may no longer exist.
Finally I would point out that criticism of Ms Dati’s behaviour only diverts attention from the fact that society has failed to fully recognise the obligations of parenting, most notably in relation to the role of fathers.
Far from castigating Ms Dati, we should be working towards ensuring that, in the future, fathers and mothers do not face similar dilemmas.
In summary, plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose. – Yours, etc,