Spain plans extra sick days for women with menstrual pain

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Woman with hot-water bottle: Spain could be a pioneer in Europe

Photo: David-Wolfgang Ebener/ dpa

Spaniards should be given the right to stay at home during their monthly menstrual period if they experience severe abdominal pain.

This is provided for in a draft law by the left-wing government, which is to be officially presented in the cabinet this Tuesday.

The state should bear the costs of the loss of work, as the ministry announced.

In order to be released from work, an affected woman must consult a doctor.

According to media reports, three additional sick days per month are planned.

In the case of particularly severe menstrual problems, this quota should be extended to five days per month after presentation of a medical certificate.

Warning against stigmatization of women

Spain would be the first country in Europe with such a law.

Additional paid sick days for women with severe menstrual problems are only available in a few countries worldwide, including South Korea and Indonesia.

The initiative was pushed by Equal Opportunities Minister Irene Montero from smaller left-alternative coalition partner Unidas Podemos.

There were reservations about the bill from the ranks of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's socialist PSOE party.

Nadia Calviño's Ministry of Economic Affairs warned that the regulation could disadvantage women in the competition for jobs.

The government will never take any action that could "stigmatize women," Calviño stressed.

The draft is to be introduced as part of a reform package that also includes the abolition of VAT on pads and tampons.

There are also plans to amend the abortion law.

In future, women over the age of 16 should be able to have an abortion without the consent of their parents.

mmq/dpa/AFP