Menstrual leave, how it works in other countries

There Spain has become the protagonist of a novelty on a European scale: on 16 February the Parliament gave the go-ahead to a package of rules which also includes the menstrual leave. In the wake of Madrid, a proposal also arrives from Italian politics. But in the meantime the menstrual leave is already in regulatory framework from different countries, let’s see which ones

Menstrual leave in Italy, here is the bill: what it provides

Spain – On February 16, the so-called “trans law” obtained the definitive go-ahead from Parliament. In addition to contemplating the right to free “gender self-determination” for all over 16s and the abortion reform, the law also includes leave for “disabling” periods covered by the state. Leave can be obtained with a medical certificate. Spain is the first European country to adopt such a measure

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Japan – The consideration for menstrual leave has existed since 1947. This is established by article 68 of the law on labor standards. It can be granted for a day, half a day or for a specific number of hours. However, remember the site Euronews.nextaccording to a survey by the Nikkei Intelligence Group the measure comes used by less than 10% of women because of fear you will suffer discrimination

Ravenna, Liceo Artistico institutes menstrual leave for female students

Indonesian – It was established in 1948 as a sign of respect for female miners and workers, who found themselves working without Toilet adequate. Those engaged in other sectors, however, seldom used it: in the 1990s the Indonesian Business Women’s Association proposed to repeal the measure, which instead remained, albeit with some changes made in 2003

South Korea – Since 2001, female workers have been entitled – upon request – to one day of unpaid leave per month. Employers who violate this law risk up to two years in prison or a fine of around €7,500.

Taiwan – Introduced in 2002 and amended in 2013, allows for up to three days of half-pay leave per year, in addition to the 30 days of common sick leave

Zambia – Since 2017, female workers have been able to take one day off each month without providing a medical certificate. The mechanism by which it is activated, always explains Euronews.nextit is very informal: it is sufficient for women to call on the same day and notify that they want to take a day off

Italy /1- In Italy the debate on menstrual leave has reignited after the Nervi Severini art high school in Ravenna changed the school regulation by providing for the possibility of being absent from school for a maximum of two days a month in case of dysmenorrhea

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Italy/2 – A bill, consisting of three articles, was put forward by theGreen-Left Alliance. Article 1 provides for the establishment of school menstrual leave: up to two days a month of justified absences for female students suffering from dysmenorrhea, as an exception to the obligation to attend at least three quarters of the annual timetable established by national law, absences that will not affect the maximum number of hours allowed

Italy /3 – Article 2 establishes menstrual work leave which, subject to a medical certificate, will allow the worker to take advantage of a maximum of two days a month, with compensation equal to 100% of her salary. Days of leave cannot be equated with other causes of absence from work, starting with illness. The law applies to full-time or part-time, permanent, fixed-term or project-based employment contracts

Italy/4 – Article 3 provides that hormonal contraceptives are included in the essential levels of assistance and that the Minister of Health adopts specific guidelines for their free distribution in pharmacies, subject to prescription on medical prescription

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