Tyla

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Not now
OK
Advert
Advert
Advert

Spain becomes first European country to give workers paid period pain leave

Niamh Spence

Published 
| Last updated 

Spain becomes first European country to give workers paid period pain leave

Featured Image Credit: Chris Rout / Rustycanuck / Alamy Stock Photo

Spain has become the first European country to pass law that will allow workers to claim paid 'menstrual leave' for the first three days of their periods.

The new bill allows those suffering from painful periods to stay off work for the first 72 hours of their periods, with the possibility of extending this to five days if needed.

For those with painful conditions, including endometriosis or PCOS, it can mean not being financially out of pocket whilst they handle symptoms such as cramps, nausea, dizziness, and even vomiting.

The new law will allow workers in Spain with painful periods to have the first three days of their periods as paid time off. Credit: Pexels
The new law will allow workers in Spain with painful periods to have the first three days of their periods as paid time off. Credit: Pexels
Advert

However, it's not as simple as calling up your boss and telling them you're staying home though.

To qualify for the new scheme, workers in Spain will need to provide a doctor's note and the public social security system will foot the bill.

The law comes in as part of Spain's package on sexual and reproductive rights that includes allowing anyone 16 and over to get an abortion, schools to provide sanitary products for girls who need them, and for young people to be able to change their gender on their ID card.

The new 'menstrual leave' law from Spain is a European first. Credit: Pexels
The new 'menstrual leave' law from Spain is a European first. Credit: Pexels
Advert

Addressing the passing of this law, Spain's equality minister Irene Montero called it 'a historic day of progress in feminist rights'.

She said: "There will be resistance to its application, just as there has been and there will be resistance to the application of all feminist laws.

"So we have to work (…) to guarantee that when this law enters into force, it will be enforced."

According to the Spanish Gynaecology and Obstetrics Society, around a third of women who menstruate suffer from severe pain known as dysmenorrhea.

Advert

Symptoms can include acute abdominal pain, diarrhoea, headaches and fever.

Workers will still need to provide a doctor's note to qualify for the paid time off. Credit: Pexels
Workers will still need to provide a doctor's note to qualify for the paid time off. Credit: Pexels

Currently Spain is the only country in Europe offering paid menstrual leave, joining a handful of other countries around the world offering similar paid leave including Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, South Korea and Zambia.

The bill was first announced in May 2022, with Montero calling the legislature 'is a legislature of feminist conquests'.

Advert

She added: "We recognise menstrual health as part of the right to health and we fight stigma and silence."

Last year, Spain's Secretary of State for Equality and against Gender Violence, Ángela Rodríguez, told El Periodico that the new laws would benefit those suffering from particularly painful periods.

She explained: "It is important to clarify what a painful period is, we are not talking about a slight discomfort, but about serious symptoms such as diarrhoea, severe headaches, fever."

Topics: Health, News

Niamh Spence
More like this
Advert
Advert
Advert

Chosen for YouChosen for You

Entertainment

Rihanna shares plans for baby number three with A$AP Rocky

13 hours ago

Most Read StoriesMost Read

Rebel Wilson opens up on losing her virginity at age 35 as she says others 'shouldn’t feel pressured'

21 hours ago