New paid miscarriage leave for public sector workers

The Catalan government has approved providing public sector workers with three days of paid leave after a miscarriage between week 6 and day 179 of gestation. 

Equality minister Tània Verge, who announced the measure alongside presidency minister Laura Vilagrà on Thursday, explained that this was because "week 6 is when a pregnancy can be confirmed," while women who have stillbirths from day 180 of gestation are already entitled to maternity leave. 

"1 in 6 desired pregnancies end in miscarriage in the first trimester," equality minister Tània Verge added. "This three-day paid leave is a way of breaking the silence."

"Pregnancy loss bereavement is still often a silent reality," Vilagrà remarked. New Zealand is the only other place in the world with a similar policy, and according to Vilagrà, the Catalan government's proposal is an "improved" version of it. 

The new miscarriage leave for public sector workers, which also includes teachers and healthcare professionals, is on par with bereavement leave for the loss of a first-degree relative, and both parents regardless of marital status, as well as second-degree relatives will also be able to benefit from it.  

Both officials expressed hope this new leave would help pave the way for similar policies in the private sector where similar permits are regulated by collective bargaining agreements. 

Period pain and menopause symptoms

Women who have painful periods or severe menopause symptoms will also be able to take 8 hours off per month as long as they make up for them in the subsequent four months.  

"If we do not take into account the natural processes that affect women's bodies, we are applying gender-blind and therefore discriminatory occupational health policies," Verge said. 

Unions such as UGT and CCOO welcomed the measure, but said there was still much to be done to improve workers' work-life balance. 

Spain made headlines last May when the government passed a similar bill — yet to be greenlighted by Congress — approving paid menstrual leave and abortion without parental consent for 16- and 17-year-olds.