Under a new law approved by the parliament, couples in New Zealand who have a miscarriage or stillbirth will be eligible for paid bereavement leave.
The bill was put forward by MP Ginny Andersen, who said it would allow mothers and their partners to “come to terms with their loss” without taking sick leave.
The bill also applies to those having a child through adoption or surrogacy.
New Zealand is the second country in the world to introduce the measure, after India.
Final reading of my Bereavement Leave for Miscarriage Bill. This is a Bill about workers’ rights and fairness. I hope it gives people time to grieve and promotes greater openness about miscarriage. We should not be fearful of our bodies. pic.twitter.com/dwUWINVjLm
— Ginny Andersen (@ginnyandersen) March 24, 2021
