ABORTION AS A WORKPLACE ISSUE – LAUNCH OF GROUND BREAKING SURVEY

Majority of respondents favour reform of abortion laws in Northern Ireland
85% reject criminalisation of women who have abortions

3200 people, 2031 from Northern Ireland, have responded to a ground breaking survey on the effects of abortion in the workplace. The survey was conducted across the island of Ireland by the Ulster University and commissioned by 5 trade unions UNITE, UNISON, GMB, CWU Ireland and Mandate and the campaigning organisations Alliance for Choice and Trade Union Campaign to Repeal the 8th.

In a launch event in Stormont, sponsored by Clare Bailey MLA, Dr Fiona Bloomer, lead researcher for Ulster University, will say:
‘This research study, the first of its kind globally, provides clear evidence that abortion is a workplace issue. Our findings demonstrated that of 3200 respondents, 20% had direct experience of abortion as a workplace issue. Their experiences ranged from stigma, isolation, lack of support to being unable to access sick leave or sick pay, often due to precarious employment. This study provides a clear evidence base for the trade union movement to not only continue to lobby for legal reform but also to campaign for workplace policies which support women.”

Speaking about the report, Kellie O’Dowd, Co-Chair of Alliance for Choice commented
“Alliance for Choice commends the trade union movement who have shown such solidarity, support and leadership in carrying out this vital and ground breaking piece of research which clearly shows that abortion is a workplace issue. We look forward to working with them to implement the key recommendations of this report.”

Patricia McKeown, Regional Secretary of UNISON, one of the sponsoring trade unions said:
‘This is a hugely important piece of research. It provides insight into the very real impact on working women of making the choice to terminate a pregnancy. The recent decision to open access to abortion facilities in the NHS in other UK jurisdictions does not remove these difficulties for women in Northern Ireland. The responses to this survey tell us that denying women choice impacts hugely on their working lives. As trade unions it reinforces our work to support women workers and our call to reform the outdated and punitive laws on abortion in Northern Ireland. ‘

A majority of respondents did not support a total ban on access to abortion and favoured legal reform in Northern Ireland. Notably 85% of respondents rejected the criminalisation of women who have abortions.
Key findings from NI respondents:

61% agreed / strongly agreed with the statement that the current restrictions on abortion access were cruel and inhumane
85% stated a woman should not arrested and prosecuted for having an abortion
19% had direct experience of abortion as a workplace issue

Of those with direct experience:

43% struggled to pay for the costs
24% wanted time off after the abortion but couldn’t afford to lose wages
12% needed time off and were able to get sick pay
9% needed time off and used unpaid leave