Time off work for period pain
Source: Imani Bahati en Unsplash
Spain plans menstrual leave in new law for those with severe pain
Spain is planning to introduce medical leave for women who suffer from severe period pain, media reports suggest.
A draft bill says women could have three days of leave a month - extended to five in some circumstances.
But politicians warned that the draft - leaked to Spanish media outlets - was still being worked on.
If passed, it would be the first such legal entitlement in Europe. Only a handful of countries around the world have such legislation in place.
The Spanish legislation is part of a much wider reproductive health reform which will include changes to the country's abortion laws.
Media outlets who have seen portions of the law report that it is due to be presented to cabinet early next week.
Three-day sick leave for painful periods will be allowed with a doctor's note, the draft says, potentially extending to five on a temporary basis for particularly intense or incapacitating pain.
But it is not expected to apply to those who suffer mild discomfort.
It is part of a wider approach of treating menstruation as a health condition, El País reports, which also includes the abolishing of VAT on some hygiene products - the so-called "tampon tax" - and free hygiene products being made available at public centres such as schools and prisons.
The draft also includes extended paid maternity leave before childbirth and changes to abortion laws outlined earlier this year by Equality Minister Irene Montero.
That includes removing the requirement of aged 16 and 17 to have an abortion without the permission of their parents or guardians, which was introduced in 2015 by another government. It also eliminates a current three-day cooling-off period, and a requirement for abortion services to be provided in the public healthcare system.
But doctors in traditionally Roman Catholic Spain will still be able to sign up to a register of conscientious objectors, El País reports.
The proposed law will also include tighter rules around surrogacy, which is banned in Spain.
Comments
I don´t care menstrual leave or period pain of women but I ask several women about it and they told me that this argument is horrible. They can´t understand how it´s possible that a woman points out the period pain over other characteristics of women. Spanish law allows menstrual leave every woman who suffers from period pain. Every company and boss allows her leave without prescription medicine. It´s crazy.
In my long life of working, I had never asked one woman if she had the period pain, not only for respect but for good behaviour. I´m afraid that a lot of women are ashamed about this argument. I can´t imagine if a man would have done this.
This topic serves to speak about abortion or remove the requirement of aged 16 and 17 to permit an abortion, it was not necessary to do so theatrics.
See you.
I wonder if you are suffering a hangover from the celebrations. I'm not sure if I understand what you mean in some parts of your comment.
I am not particularly interested in menstrual leave or period pain of women but I have asked several women about it and they told me that this argument is horrible. They can´t understand how it´s possible that a woman highlights the issue of period pain other characteristics of women. Spanish law will allow every woman who suffers from period pain to go on menstrual leave. Every company and boss must allow her leave without prescription medicine. It´s crazy.
In my long life of working, I had never asked one woman if she had period pain, not only out of respect but also to be polite. I´m afraid that a lot of women are embarrassed about this subject. I can´t imagine if it were men who suffered period pains.
This topic serves to speak about abortion or the removal of the requirement of those aged 16 and 17 to get permission for an abortion. It was not necessary to do such theatrics.
I'm not really up to date about the current laws in Spain. Some months ago I saw on the TV that politicians were considerating changing the legislation in order to allow some women to get 3 days off work per month. But I haven't heard again about it, so I guess that it's been dismissed.
It appears to me that some countries have aproved it.
In one hand I think it's a good law, because some women suffers from several pain every month, and that must be similar than being sick. On the other hand, I fear that this can lead to the fact that employeers might prefer to hire men instead of women if this law is aproved.
I don't understand why this law is needed. What have women done up until now?
I'm not really up to date with the current laws in Spain. Some months ago, I saw on TV that politicians were considering changing the legislation in order to allow some women to get 3 days off work per month. But I haven't heard about it again, so I guess that it's been (quietly) shelved. It appears to me that some countries have approved it.
On one hand I think it's a good law, because some women suffer from severe pain every month, and that must be similar to being sick. On the other hand, I fear that this might lead to employers preferring to hire men instead of women if this law is approved.