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New Zealand’s parliament passed a law allowing couples three days of paid leave after miscarriage. New Zealand workers were already entitled to paid leave after a so-called stillbirth, when the pregnancy was terminated after 20 weeks or more.
But the new law goes further. From now on, for any premature termination of pregnancy, couples are entitled to three days of paid leave, regardless of the duration of the pregnancy. The scheme does not apply to abortions.
Final reading of my miscarriage bereavement leave bill. This is a workers’ rights and fairness bill. I hope this gives people time to grieve and promotes more openness about miscarriages. We should not be afraid of our body. pic.twitter.com/dwUWINVjLm
– Ginny Andersen (@ginnyandersen) March 24, 2021
“The bill gives women and their partners time to face their losses,” Social Democratic representative Ginny Andersen, who initiated the law, told parliament on Wednesday. Because their grief is not a disease. It is a loss. And a treatment that takes time. ”
A merciful leave system
New Zealand is playing a pioneering role with the law, which will go into effect in the coming weeks. Some other countries, such as New Zealand so far, already have provisions for stillbirth leave. And in India, women are entitled to six weeks paid leave after miscarriage or stillbirth. But since many women in India work in the informal sector, relatively few can claim it.
“Although we are one of the first, I hope we are not one of the last,” said Andersen. “I hope that other countries will also start to legislate for a system of humanitarian and fair leave.”
Miscarriages and stillbirths are still taboo around the world. Couples often find it difficult to talk about it. Yet, they are quite common. About 1 in 10 pregnancies diagnosed will end in miscarriage or stillbirth. About a quarter of women are affected. In the Netherlands, women are entitled to 16 weeks paid leave for a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy. If the pregnancy is terminated during the first 24 weeks, they cannot declare themselves ill.
New Zealand is often at the forefront of progressive laws that strengthen the legal position of women. It was also the first country in the world to give all women the right to vote in the 1893 national legislative elections.
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