Mothers would get bereavement leave for miscarriages under new bill

NewsHub 9 August 2018
Women who have a miscarriage at any stage in their pregnancy would be entitled to bereavement leave under a new Member’s Bill drawn from the ballot.

Labour MP Ginny Andersen’s bill would make it explicit that the “unplanned death of a foetus” is grounds for up to three days of bereavement leave.

“One pregnancy out of four can end in miscarriage, so it affects a lot of women and their partners,” Ms Andersen said.

“It’s important that women and their families have time to grieve and deal with not only the physical but the emotional strain of going through miscarriage.”

The legislation won’t include abortion because that would compromise the bill’s chance of passing.

When asked whether people may need bereavement leave for an abortion, Ms Arderson said, “I think it would be [grounds], but I would like this Member’s Bill to pass, and I think it’s important you keep Member’s Bills simple and likely to receive support across the House.”
READ MORE: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/08/mothers-would-get-bereavement-leave-for-miscarriages-under-new-bill.html

Couples who suffer a miscarriage could get paid leave
NewsHub 9 August 2018
Couples who suffer a miscarriage could soon be eligible for up to three days’ leave under Labour MP Ginny Andersen’s proposed law change.

She’d like the leave extended to women after they’ve had abortions as well, but admits that would be too controversial and would compromise the Bill’s chance of passing.

Family First NZ has welcomed the Bill and says it should cover post-abortion bereavement leave.

“Abortion grief is also the ‘elephant in the room’ and these women shouldn’t be dismissed because of a few that say it was the right decision for them to abort,” spokesperson Marina Young says.

“A person begins to heal the moment they feel heard.”
READ MORE: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/08/miscarriage-bill-could-apply-to-women-who-have-abortions.html