Spain’s government approved a law providing paid medical leave for women suffering from severe menstrual pain – a first for any European country. Such facilities are currently available in a handful of countries including Japan, Indonesia and Zambia.
Equality Minister Irene Monteiro said, “Today is a historic day for progress in feminist rights.”
“Menstruation will no longer be a taboo… no more going to work with pain, no more having to take pills before arriving at work and hiding the fact that we are in pain that makes us unable to work,” Montero had said it would come into force after the law initially approved by the cabinet in May 2022.
The menstrual leave law was part of a broader mandate that also strengthened access to abortion services in public hospitals. The new law also allows minors aged 16 and 17 to have abortions without parental permission, reversing a requirement introduced by the previous Conservative government in 2015.
While the law passed smoothly under Spain’s leftist government, it created divisions among both politicians and unions.
The CCOO, one of Spain’s main trade unions, welcomed the move as a major “legislative advance” to recognize a so far “ignored” problem. Meanwhile, the country’s other main union warned it could stigmatize women in the workplace and indirectly hinder “their access to the labor market”. The UGT’s stance has also been echoed by the opposition right-wing Popular Party (PP).
What are the parameters of the new law?
The new law allows employees to take period pain relief as much as they need, with the state Social Security system (not the employer) picking up the tab for sick leave. Like other paid medical leave, it also requires a doctor’s approval.
According to the Spanish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics, about a third of women suffer from severe menstrual pain.
(with inputs from agencies)
catch all business News, market news, today’s fresh news events and Breaking News Update on Live Mint. download mint news app To get daily market updates.