![[Global] Access to paid menstrual leave slowly increasing](http://gpa.net/cdn/shop/articles/bigstock-Woman-Suffering-From-Stomachac-462263715_1200x.jpg?v=1671470547)
Many women experience extreme levels of pain during their periods yet only a handful of countries, most of them in Asia, allow them to take time off work to recover. Paid menstrual leave continues to be a rare right around the world. But change is finally coming, Taipei Times reports.
On December 15, MPs in Spain began debating legislation to make it the first European country to offer menstrual leave. In several other countries, companies have started offering period leave without being legally required to do so. Taipei Times summaries the current rights to leave worldwide:
Taiwan
The Gender Equality in Employment Act (性別工作平等法) reportedly gives women three days of menstrual leave per year, which are not deducted from the statutory 30 days of regular sick leave. Women can only take one day in any given month.
In common with sick leave, workers on menstrual leave receive only 50 per cent of their salary.
Indonesia
Indonesia passed a law in 2003 giving women the right to two days of paid menstrual leave per month, without giving prior notice. However, in practice the provision is discretionary.
Many employers reportedly allow only one day a month, while others give no menstrual leave at all; either because they are unaware of the law or choose to disregard it.
Japan
In Japan, a law dating as far back as 1947 states that companies must agree to give women menstrual leave if they request it, for as much time as they need.
The law does not, however, require them to pay women during menstrual leave but around 30 per cent of Japanese companies do offer full or partial pay, according to a 2020 labour ministry survey.
Few women reportedly take advantage of the law, however. The survey of around 6,000 companies found that just 0.9 per cent of eligible workers had taken menstrual leave.
South Korea
In South Korea, women are entitled to one day of unpaid menstrual leave per month. Employers who refuse to grant it face fines of up to 5 million won (US$3,844).
A 2018 survey showed greater uptake than in Japan, with a little over 19 per cent of women taking time off.
Zambia
Zambia passed a law in 2015 allowing women to take a day off work during their period, without giving notice or providing a doctor’s note.
The measure is generally accepted and supported, however, not all employers willingly comply with the law on what is discreetly referred to as “Mother’s Day.”
With the support of trade unions, women are reportedly starting to exercise their right to leave, communications expert and women’s rights advocate Ruth Kanyanga Kamwi said.
Spain
Spain’s left-wing government announced a bill in May giving women unlimited paid leave for period pain if they provide a doctor’s note.
Equality Minister Irene Montero said, “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.”
The proposal reportedly drew criticism from Spanish unions, who warned that menstrual leave could prompt employers to prioritise men when hiring rather than it liberating women.
Job ‘perk’
Some companies have not waited for a change of law before offering women menstrual leave.
They reportedly include Australian pension fund Future Super, Indian food delivery startup Zomato, and French furniture firm Louis which give respectively six, 10 and 12 extra days.
Los Angeles-based astrology company Chani also details “unlimited menstrual leave for people with uteruses” as a perk on its website.
Source: Taipei Times
(Quote via original reporting)
Many women experience extreme levels of pain during their periods yet only a handful of countries, most of them in Asia, allow them to take time off work to recover. Paid menstrual leave continues to be a rare right around the world. But change is finally coming, Taipei Times reports.
On December 15, MPs in Spain began debating legislation to make it the first European country to offer menstrual leave. In several other countries, companies have started offering period leave without being legally required to do so. Taipei Times summaries the current rights to leave worldwide:
Taiwan
The Gender Equality in Employment Act (性別工作平等法) reportedly gives women three days of menstrual leave per year, which are not deducted from the statutory 30 days of regular sick leave. Women can only take one day in any given month.
In common with sick leave, workers on menstrual leave receive only 50 per cent of their salary.
Indonesia
Indonesia passed a law in 2003 giving women the right to two days of paid menstrual leave per month, without giving prior notice. However, in practice the provision is discretionary.
Many employers reportedly allow only one day a month, while others give no menstrual leave at all; either because they are unaware of the law or choose to disregard it.
Japan
In Japan, a law dating as far back as 1947 states that companies must agree to give women menstrual leave if they request it, for as much time as they need.
The law does not, however, require them to pay women during menstrual leave but around 30 per cent of Japanese companies do offer full or partial pay, according to a 2020 labour ministry survey.
Few women reportedly take advantage of the law, however. The survey of around 6,000 companies found that just 0.9 per cent of eligible workers had taken menstrual leave.
South Korea
In South Korea, women are entitled to one day of unpaid menstrual leave per month. Employers who refuse to grant it face fines of up to 5 million won (US$3,844).
A 2018 survey showed greater uptake than in Japan, with a little over 19 per cent of women taking time off.
Zambia
Zambia passed a law in 2015 allowing women to take a day off work during their period, without giving notice or providing a doctor’s note.
The measure is generally accepted and supported, however, not all employers willingly comply with the law on what is discreetly referred to as “Mother’s Day.”
With the support of trade unions, women are reportedly starting to exercise their right to leave, communications expert and women’s rights advocate Ruth Kanyanga Kamwi said.
Spain
Spain’s left-wing government announced a bill in May giving women unlimited paid leave for period pain if they provide a doctor’s note.
Equality Minister Irene Montero said, “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.”
The proposal reportedly drew criticism from Spanish unions, who warned that menstrual leave could prompt employers to prioritise men when hiring rather than it liberating women.
Job ‘perk’
Some companies have not waited for a change of law before offering women menstrual leave.
They reportedly include Australian pension fund Future Super, Indian food delivery startup Zomato, and French furniture firm Louis which give respectively six, 10 and 12 extra days.
Los Angeles-based astrology company Chani also details “unlimited menstrual leave for people with uteruses” as a perk on its website.
Source: Taipei Times
(Quote via original reporting)