New Zealand’s parliament passed an unprecedented piece of legislation this week, which gives mothers and their partners the right to paid leave following a miscarriage or stillbirth.
The bereavement allowance, passed unanimously in parliament late Wednesday, gives employees three days of paid leave when a pregnancy ends with a stillbirth without having to tap into sick leave.
“The passing of this bill shows that once again New Zealand is leading the way for progressive and compassionate legislation, becoming only the second country in the world to provide leave for miscarriage and stillbirth,” said Labour Party MP Ginny Andersen, who initiated the bill.
“The bill will give women and their partners time to come to terms with their loss without having to tap into sick leave. Because their grief is not a sickness, it is a loss. And loss takes time.”
