Women and their partner who experience miscarriage will be eligible for seven days of paid leave under a new government proposal.The government’s proposals were presented by the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue, Andy Ellul, in a press conference earlier today.Ellul stated that leave for women who experience miscarriage before the 22nd week of pregnancy will be eligible for seven consecutive days of leave. The leave will be paid for by the government so as to avoid financial pressures on employers.The leave payment will be based on the median wage, which amounts to slightly more than double the national minimum wage.Ellul went on to say that the leave will apply to both the woman and her partner and that the leave is also applicable for same sex couples.The miscarriage leave will be applicable to workers in the service, public sector and private sector. It will also apply for people working at hiring agencies as well as self-employed people. All people eligible will be benefitting from the same conditions. Part-time workers will also be granted leave but it will be on a pro-rata base.For a woman to apply for miscarriage leave, a medical certificate from her gynaecologist is required. The disclosure of details on her personal case is not necessary. This same medical certificate can be used by the woman’s partner so as to apply for leave.Guidelines will be set up for employers to have a model on how to treat these cases with respect, dignity and confidentiality. Workers who make use of the miscarriage leave will have the right to return to their job without prejudices and without their role being affected. People affected by miscarriage will also be eligible for miscarriage leave even if they did not inform their workplace about the pregnancy.“The Government recognises that in addition to the physical trauma, when a miscarriage occurs the couple also goes through psychological trauma. Therefore, they will be offered psychological support and assistance to begin to alleviate some of the trauma they are going through,” reads a statement issued by Ellul.Finally, the Parliamentary Secretary added that an anonymous national register will be set up to monitor the taking of this leave. This is with the aim that the Government will have real figures in hand through which, if the need arises, it will be able to continue to build on this measure.Ellul explained that all this came after a broad public consultation that was held. Among others, national conferences were held during which medical experts, workers, employers, families, and more importantly, people who have gone through this trauma made their voices heard.The Parliamentary Secretary concluded by saying that the economic growth that the country is experiencing is leading to the implementation of measures of this type in favour of social justice. A measure that will serve as emotional and even financial support for couples.It is also a testament to the social values of the Government, which wants to move forward a country where laws reflect real life and everyday situations, and where recovery from such delicate situations has its place in the world of work.What do you make of the plan for miscarriage leave?Credit: OPM_PS•