By Janine Dumaguin
A bill seeking a two-day paid menstruation leave every month for all female workers in the private and public sectors has been filed in Congress.
Gabriela party-list Representative Arlene Brosas proposed the House Bill 7758, also known as Menstrual Leave Act.
According to Gabriela, the bill seeks to provide women with flexibility and support they need to manage their reproductive health without the fear of negative consequences such as losing pay, falling behind at work, or facing disciplinary action.
The House Bill 7758 defined ‘menstrual leave’ as a benefit given to female workers which allows them not to report for work for up to two days every month due to premenstrual or menstrual tension but continues to earn 100% of the compensation.
As a form of exercising reproductive rights, Gabriela said the bill must not be used as a basis for demotion in employment or termination.
The bill covers female employees, excluding pregnant and menopausal women.
Citing the Hum Reprod Update, the party-list noted that about 45 to 95 percent of menstruating women suffer from primary dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation.
It further stressed that dysmenorrhea is often ignored and taken as a normal part of menstruation, thus, female employees tend to report for work despite being in pain in order to avoid getting salary deductions due to absences. – cf
