Sick leave due to menstrual cramps is a right granted in several countries.

Sick leave due to menstrual cramps is a rarity in the world, to the point that Spain on Thursday became the first European country to implement it, joining a handful of Asian countries.

Here is a summary of these “menstrual leaves”.

Spain, new law, pioneer in Europe

The Spanish Congress of Deputies finally approved this Thursday a bill providing for “low menstruation”for women suffering from painful menstruation, for the first time in Europe.

The law does not specify the duration of this medical leave.

Japan, law since 1947

In Japan, the right to menstruation It’s been in law since 1947, and companies can’t force an employee to work if she asks to go on “period leave.”

There is no limit to the number of days you can take for this type.licenses”, but usually they don’t get paid.

30% of companies offer to refund all or part of them”periodical permissions”, according to a 2020 Japanese Ministry of Labor survey of 6,000 companies.

This survey found that only 0.9% of eligible employees said they had passed menstrual holiday.

South Korea, one day a month

IN South Korea Employees are allowed to take days off menstrual per month unpaid.

Companies that break the law are subject to a fine of 5 million won ($4,000).

According to a survey conducted in 2018, 19% of female workers say they enjoy the right to menstrual holiday.

Indonesia, one or two days per cycle

In Indonesia, a law passed in 2003 provides for one or two days of “paid leave” at the start of the working year. menstrual cycle, in case of painful periods. The law obliges only female workers to notify their employers of the date of their dismissal.

But the application of the rules depends on the companies and their employees. In practice, many firms allow only one day menstrual break or even no one if they choose to ignore the law.

Taiwanmaximum three days a year

Taiwan also recognizes the right to menstrual holiday for working women one day a month and only three days a year.

However, working women can still get more days of menstrual leave, but these are counted as days of sick leave.

Days worked for this concept are paid, as are sick days and half-days worked.

Zambia, “Mother’s Day” since 2015

Zambia, a country in southern Africa, passed a law in 2015 giving women the right to menstrual holiday allowing them to take an extra day of vacation per month without prior notice or medical clearance in case of painful periods.

Known as “Mother’s Day” low menstruation is generally accepted, but some employers remain reticent and require women to be notified in advance.

Various companies around the world

Several companies around the world offer their employees “menstrual holiday”.

The move is recent and the announcements have been made in the last few months or years.

For example, the Australian pension fund Future Super, the Indian delivery company Zomato, or the French furniture manufacturer Louis Design offer their employees six, ten or 12 extra days of paid leave per year from painful rules.

In France, the Socialist Party, which included this measure in its electoral program for the 2022 presidential election, from the end of that year proposed a day low menstruation monthly staff at headquarters.

AFP