Spain: plans to introduce leave allowance for menstrual pain prove contentious

The Spanish government is set to approve three days of leave per month for women suffering from painful periods, covered by social security. This unprecedented measure is part of a much broader new reproductive health law that will, among other things, bolster the right to abortion. It has been prepared by the Ministry of Equality, but even before the text has been presented publicly, and its details made known, the "menstrual leave" allowance is creating discord, both within the government and on the side of the unions.
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Expressing her scepticism towards the initiative Nadia Calviño, Spain’s Minister for Economy and Digitalisation, said: “We will not make decisions that stigmatise women.” Yolanda Díaz, Minister of Labour and Social Economy, defended the merits of the measure, responding: “What stigmatises is not having the sensitivity to see that men and women are different and that the world of work is not neutral.” Trade unions in the country are approaching the issue with caution and are calling for it to be

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