“Rules will no longer be taboo,” welcomed the Spanish Minister for Equality, Irene Montero, on Tuesday, May 17. Spain has introduced a bill claiming to be a leap forward for women’s rights. It aims to establish menstrual leave for employees suffering from painful menstruation.
“We are going to be the first country in Europe to introduce temporary sick leave fully funded by the state for painful and disabling menstruation,” enthused Irene Montero after the Council of Ministers. The minister had indicated earlier on public television that this sick leave, which must be signed by the attending physician, “would not have a time limit” while a preliminary version of the project released last week by the media referred to a three-day leave, which can be extended to five in the event of acute symptoms. If this device is new in Europe, it has already been adopted by a handful of countries around the world, mainly in Asia. Overview.
In Japan, the right to menstrual leave has been enshrined in law since 1947. No company can force an employee to work if she asks for menstrual leave. There is no limit to the number of days that can be taken.
But there’s a flip side: those days are mostly unpaid. Only 30% of companies, on average, offer partial or full reimbursement, according to a study by the Japanese Ministry of Labor carried out in 2020. This survey also measured that only 0.9% of eligible employees said they had taken menstrual leave.
- In South Korea, one day a month
In South Korea, employees are also familiar with menstrual leave. However, he is not remunerated. This is the fundamental difference with that envisaged in Spain, for example. Until 2004, menstrual leave in South Korea was paid for.
Companies that force an employee to work face a fine of around 3,750 euros. Korean women would be quicker than Japanese women to enjoy their rights since, according to a survey carried out in 2018, 19% of employees say they use the right to menstrual leave.
- Indonesia: one to two days of paid vacation
Thanks to a law passed in 2003, Indonesia provides one to two days of paid leave at the start of each menstrual cycle. The law only obliges female employees to notify their employers of the date of taking these leaves. The implementation of the system remains the responsibility of the companies and their employees. In practice, many companies choose to ignore the law.
- In Zambia, a holiday nicknamed “Mother’s Day”
To address painful periods, Zambia passed a law in 2015 granting women the right to menstrual leave that allows them to take an extra day off per month, without notice or a medical certificate. Nicknamed in the country “Mother’s Day”, menstrual leave is generally accepted.
However, some employers require advance notice. Others vehemently oppose it: “Some companies don’t even want to hear about the fact that their employees are entitled to ‘Mother’s Day’,” communications specialist Ruth Kanyanga Kamwi told AFP. The feminist activist ensures that thanks to the work of the unions, more and more employees are exercising this right.
- And elsewhere in society…
In Taiwan, three days of menstrual leave are allowed. They are reimbursed, like half-days worked. If the ceiling is exceeded, the days of menstrual suffering are counted as normal sick leave days.
Some companies also support their employees. The Australian pension fund Future Super or the French furniture manufacturer Louis offer six to twelve days of additional paid leave per year to women suffering from their periods.