Labour calls for miscarriage leave for women at work this International Women’s Day
Labour’s health spokesperson Marie Sherlock said it is shameful that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil seem opposed to providing compassionate leave for any woman who experiences the loss of a miscarriage.
The Labour Party published a Bill in March 2021, the Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021, that would provide women with up to 20 days paid time off to recover from the loss of an early pregnancy, as well as up to 10 days paid leave for employees accessing fertility treatments like IVF.
Despite Labour’s push for action during Private Members’ Time in the Seanad in November 2023, and in the Dáil in January 2024, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil opted to kick the can on introducing this practical and much needed support for women.
Speaking in advance of International Women’s Day, Deputy Sherlock said:
“This International Women’s Day the Labour Party are calling for meaningful action for women, not lip service. It’s time to introduce leave when it matters most, for women at a very vulnerable time int heir lives.
“Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil’s failure to progress legislation to provide for leave for women during a time of great loss is a stark reminder of the uphill battle women face in advocating for compassionate workplace policies.
“Government commissioned the PLACES: Pregnancy Loss (under 24 weeks) in Workplaces Report on Informing Policymakers on Support Mechanisms report which was published in January 2024. This report recommended the introduction of policies to provide time off work following pregnancy loss before 24 weeks, among other measures.
“The statistics are stark – over one in six pregnancies end in early miscarriage or because of an ectopic pregnancy and one in six couples grapple with fertility challenges. Despite overwhelming support for this leave across the country, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil’s choice to defer addressing this issue suggests a removal from the reality facing so many women across this country.
“Earlier this week it was announced that mothers and partners in England, ales and Scotland will be granted two weeks of bereavement leave if they experience miscarriage or stillbirth before 24 weeks’ gestation. It’s beyond time that we introduce the same here.
“Since the introduction of the Labour Party Bill, I have been inundated with women sharing their experience of loss. The majority of these cases are unexpected. It is a profoundly sad and devastating experience. We need to provide leave when it matters most. This International Women’s Day, I’m calling on Government to step up and do the right thing for women.”
ENDS
Editor’s Note: The report was authored by Ruadh Kelly-Harrington, Marita Hennessy PhD, Dr Sara Leitao, Prof Mary Donnelly, Dr Claire Murray, Dr. Maeve O’Sullivan, Dr Caroline Dalton-O’Connor, Dr Daniel Nuzum and Prof Keelin O’Donoghue.
Full report can be read here: PLACES | Pregnancy Loss (under 24 weeks) in Workplaces: Informing policymakers on support mechanisms – e44607ae-7344-412c-b244-b66b93a278d6.pdf (www.gov.ie).
More information on the Labour Party’s Bill can be read here: Reproductive Health Related Leave Bill – The Labour Party.