Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
SPAIN’S CABINET TODAY approved a bill that grants paid medical leave for women who suffer from severe period pain, becoming the first European country to advance such legislation.
Menstrual leave is currently offered only in a small number of countries across the globe, among them South Korea and Indonesia.
But the proposed legislation must still be approved by the Spanish parliament, with a vote not expected for months.
It was not clear whether Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s minority coalition government, which has made women’s rights a priority, has enough support in the assembly to pass it.
The Spanish bill entitles workers experiencing period pain to as much time off as they need, with the state social security system — not employers — picking up the tab for the sick leave.
As with paid leave for other health reasons, a doctor must approve the temporary medical incapacity.
Equality Minister Irene Montero said the law will recognise a health problem that has been largely swept under the carpet until now.
“Periods will no longer be taboo,” she told a news conference after the cabinet approved the bill.
“We will be the first country in Europe to introduce a temporary sick leave that is fully financed by the state for painful and incapacitating periods,” she added.
“No more going to work with pain, no more taking pills before arriving at work and having to hide the fact we’re in pain that makes us unable to work.”
Montero belongs to the far-left Podemos party, Sanchez’s junior coalition partner which has been the driving force behind the law.
‘Have to be careful’
About a third of women who menstruate suffer from severe pain, according to the Spanish Gynaecology and Obstetrics Society.
Italy in 2016 proposed a bill that would have granted three paid days off to women suffering menstrual pain who obtained medical certificates.
But the draft bill did not progress before the parliamentary term expired in 2018.
Spain’s proposal has divided politicians and even unions, with some saying it could stigmatise women in the workplace and favour the recruitment of men.
“You have to be careful with this type of decision,” said Cristina Antonanzas, deputy secretary-general of one of Spain’s largest trade unions, the UGT, warning it could impact “women’s access to the labour market”.
But Spain’s other major trade union, the CCOO, said the proposed measure was “justified” if period pain prevents a woman from working, and called it a major “legislative advance”.
Reproductive health reform
The Spanish legislation is part of a much wider reproductive health reform which will include changes to the country’s abortion laws.
It will end the requirement for minors of 16 and 17 to obtain parental consent before terminating a pregnancy and include measures to boost access to abortion at public hospitals.
The draft bill also calls for the free distribution of contraceptives and menstrual hygiene products in high schools, and strengthens sex education.
“We are advancing feminism. Women should be able to decide freely about their lives,” tweeted Sanchez.
Since he came to power in 2018, women have taken up most cabinet posts for the first time in Spain’s history, taking up top portfolios such as defence, economy and finance.
Spain decriminalised abortion in 1985 in cases of rape, if a foetus is malformed or if a birth poses a serious physical or psychological risk to the mother.
The scope of the law was broadened in 2010 to allow abortion on demand in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, but access to the procedure is complicated by the fact that many doctors in public hospitals refuse to perform abortions.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
It really is great to see some more enlightened (and realistic) thinking when it comes to things that impact people’s lives. Moving on from the dark ages of shutting up and getting on with it, especially when it comes to health issues and particularly those that affect women, which have historically been ignored or made light of by men
This is progress but only the beginning. The 4 day work week is a must.
It’s 2022, now that people are becoming slightly more enlightened about how mental health is as important as physical health, we can finally start to make some well needed changes.
Options to work from home, 4 day work week, more annual leave, mental health days off, less pressure to work while sick, options to work less in full time employment, etc. are all things that are long overdue.
@Tomo: 4 day week? GP clinics only open 4 days? Schools only open 4 days? Needs more thought.
@Tomo: I’m all for a 4 day week if I’m still guaranteed to make the same amount that I am at the moment
@sean o’dhubhghaill: how do shops, hotels, factories, hospitals etc. open 7 days per week at the moment with the current 5 day working week? Your comment gave me a good old chuckle, thanks for that
@sean o’dhubhghaill: What has that got to do with anything? Lots of businesses have people working 5 days yet remain open 7 days a week. It can easily be done for 4 days- we’re all just institutionalised into thinking it’s not. Who decided 5 days and 8 hour shifts are the perfect balance between working and life? I don’t see any balance. It’s skewed heavily in favour of work.
@NotMyIreland: Already, with a 5 day week, it can be VERY difficult to get a GP appointment. With a 4 day week it will be even worse. Or will the 4 datcweek only apply to some?
@sean o’dhubhghaill: 4 day week will only apply to the civil service as no one else is business will be able to afford it.
@Tomo:
4 day working week .. you will be paid less.
You will be working more than 8 hours a day.
If you are a salary worker you need to get things done so what you can do in 5 days you now have to do in 4=working longer days.
@Ciaran: No. Hours stay the same and your weekly earnings stay the same except you work 4 days instead of 5.
The 5 day work week is so arbitrary and stupid, it’s amazing that people have been indoctrinated and brainwashed into thinking “yep thats the perfect amount”.
@Tomo: So the employers will have to hire more people to cover the same opening hours? Labour costs up 25%? That would bust a lot of businesses I’d say.
@sean o’dhubhghaill: Supermarkets, Convenience stores, DIY stores, Fashion stores etc, let’s all jump on the bandwagon.
@Thomas O’ Donnell: Labour costs up 25%? Would it not be 20%? Maybe they could just hire more intelligent/productive people?
@Tomo: why not just have a 2 day week for full weeks pay? I mean if I had 5 days off my golf handicap would really improve and my mental health would too I’m sure.
@Pól Ó’hAodha: hello 12 hour days.
@Tomo: 4 day week my rearend :) work is the curse of the drinking classes!
This is amazing news for people like me with Endometriosis. Menstruation for me can be nothing short of debilitating and although Irish employers are becoming better, knowing you could take menstrual leave when you needed it would be so welcomed.
@Becca Laste: me too ! Crippled with adenomyosis ( endometriosis’ evil twin) every month,the pain is worse than childbirth
@Becca Laste: Fellow Endo sufferer here. It would be fantastic if we had this legislation in place. My last employer was useless with regard these issues and use to make a song and dance out of me being off sick.
Progress, about time, bravo
I wonder will it have a negative affect in the long term for hiring women.
@John Elliott: That’s exactly what I thought.
@John Elliott: Two people one man one female with the same qualifications going for a job, who’s more likely to be employed ? With this law I would say the male.
I can’t imagine how humankind has survived until now.
@lelookcoco: some have evolved. Not yourself. But some.
This will be good ….
It sounds like its actually more hassle than taking ordinary sick leave as you need a doctor to sign off on it even if you only need one day off while most work places (in Ireland anyway) only require a cert after 3 days.
About time. Hopefully it will spure on more nations to make this standard practice.
have your say