Fianna Fáil Senator Lisa Chambers is urging the Oireacthas to consider paid bereavement leave for workers who suffer a miscarriage and follow New Zealand’s lead after its legislators voted unanimously to give mothers and their partners bereavement leave after a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Senator Chambers commented, “We must consider paid bereavement leave for parents who suffer a miscarriage or stillbirth and allow parents to grieve without them having to take up their other employee leave entitlements.
“I would like to commend the efforts of the New Zealand government in bringing forward this important legislation.
“My Seanad colleague, Labour Senator Ivana Bacik, has brought forward the Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021 – that will provide for reproductive health-related leave in Irish workplaces which we as a party will be supporting.
“We need to ensure that supports are available for women and families in the workplace, allowing them the time to grieve while also helping to remove the stigma that surrounds miscarriages” concluded Senator Chambers.