The Bermuda Public Services Union and Opposition politician John Barritt have added their voices to calls for maternity leave to be extended.

The Royal Gazette reported on Friday how Government's consideration of a union proposal for a shorter working week – to allow parents more time with their children – sparked debate about longer maternity leave too.

Former Shadow Women's Minister Suzann Roberts-Holshouser and paediatric nurse Liz Boden believe women need more time with their babies than the current statutory minimum of eight weeks paid leave and four weeks unpaid allow.

Since the onus is currently on companies to provide maternity pay, they called for Government to consider providing statutory maternity payments as in other countries.

Mr. Barritt, who became a grandfather last year and attended classes run by Mrs. Boden to prepare, agreed.

"I truly and passionately believe that this is where we need to be focusing our attention, time and resources.

"For too long, we have under-estimated and under-valued the impact we as parents and grandparents can have in the early years, the first year in particular," he said.

The Bermuda Employers' Council has said that a shorter work week may damage the economy and increased maternity leave would place a financial burden on business.

Mr. Barritt said: "Maybe the current Government is on the right track when it says we've got to find ways parents can spend more time with their children.

"It's an objective I agree with, but rushing to have a shorter work week is not the answer."

However, he argued that the maternity leave extension could be one answer to cracking down on crime and anti-social behaviour.

"With increased maternity leave, there may be some cost at the front end but I'm personally persuaded there would be big savings when children grow up." he explained.

Members of the public service fare better than other employees through having 18 weeks maternity leave – 15 of which are paid – under the BPSU's collective agreement with Government. Fathers can also be granted up to one week of paid paternity leave and time off is also given to adoptive parents.

However, Thelma Hart, the union's training and research officer, would like to see greater benefits.

"Applications for increased maternity/paternity benefits have been made in the past, but have not been accepted by the employers.

"The BPSU will continue to advocate for increased leave because it believes the added time is necessary for mother and father to bond with the newborn/addition," she said.

"The added time can also assist with the social dynamics that are impacting so greatly on our families.

"The BPSU is also concerned that if mothers have to be off from work for greater periods than the times stipulated above, then their jobs should be safeguarded. In terms of statutory paternity leave, this would be favoured against the backdrop of strengthening the family unit."

No-one from Government responded to questions.