Belgium is the first country in Europe to give partners bereavement leave in the event of early miscarriage

This new policy, which offers two days of leave, applies specifically to federal employees. Minister Petra De Sutter hopes that this measure will break the taboo surrounding pregnancy loss.

Green light

The Federal Council of Ministers gave the green light for this new leave policy on Friday. Partners of women who work in the federal government will now receive two days of leave if the pregnancy ends before the six-month limit. During this leave they retain their wages, provided they have already reported the pregnancy to their employer. “A loss of pregnancy is hard,” says Minister of Civil Service Petra De Sutter, who is herself a gynaecologist. “It is important to acknowledge that pain. And if it concerns a couple who were pregnant, that pain also applies to the partner.”

Also read – New parents ignore parental leave scheme: ‘Reimbursement too meager’

Precursor

Belgium leads the way in Europe by being the first to recognize the pain of partners in the event of an early miscarriage. Earlier this year, the Flemish government introduced a similar leave policy, but only for pregnant women. Just like us, in Belgium a fetus is considered viable from 24 weeks of pregnancy. From that moment on, both parents are entitled to ten days of bereavement leave after a miscarriage. After a pregnancy of 180 days, the woman and her partner are also entitled to maternity leave, maternity and parental leave. If the child dies earlier, both parents are required to take sick leave.

Only symbolic

With the new policy, partners of federal civil servants are entitled to two days of leave, even in the event of a miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy. “Obviously the days are only symbolic. The pain and sadness often last much longer,” says De Sutter. “But there is still often a taboo surrounding pregnancy loss. Hopefully this measure will help break that taboo.”

Source: De Morgen

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