Miscarriage has long been a “taboo subject” in New Zealand, according to Labour MP Ginny Andersen.
The MP was approached by Kathryn van Beek, who had experienced a tragic miscarriage two years ago.
Kathryn had learned how hard it was for women to get time off work to grieve their loss and decided to take action.
She urged Ginny to make a change to the Holidays Act to allow for a three day bereavement leave for miscarriages.
“It is important they have the option and it is legislated,” Kathryn told the MP.
At the moment, New Zealanders are allowed leave if there is a death of a family member or child. However, it does not include the loss of a stillborn child or miscarriage, reports The Guardian.
Ginny said, “A lot of women have had more than one miscarriage and it can be very traumatic and difficult if you are trying to hold down a job.” The MP argued that the bill was necessary due to the “lack of clarity” in the workplace.
Just a little something @ginnyandersen and I have been working on! Please comment and retweet if you support bereavement leave for miscarriage https://t.co/CLUFaGjfhQ
— Kathryn van Beek (@KathrynvanBeek) August 9, 2018
“Some women have been in the position of having to argue with their employer about whether they are entitled to leave because they have lost their unborn child.”
The proposed amendment has received much support, especially from Iain Lees-Galloway, the minister for workplace relations and safety, according to The Guardian
Even Ginny’s opposition MPs have came along side her and Kathryn, saying they want to “take the politics out of this one and have the whole house support it.”
If passed, New Zealand would be setting a fantastic example for other countries.
In the UK and Ireland, bereavement leave is only given to women who have a stillbirth or miscarriage any time after the 24th week of pregnancy. In that case, they are entitled to full maternity leave.
However, there is no leave requirement for miscarriages experienced before that time.
New Zealand’s parliament is currently considering the new bill, but hopefully there will be no resistance due to the reported, positive reactions in the House.
