Labour calls for miscarriage leave for women at work

Labour’s health spokesperson Marie Sherlock has said it is “shameful” that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil appear opposed to providing compassionate leave for any woman who experiences the loss of a miscarriage.

The Dublin Central TD said that Labour published a bill which would provide women with up to 20 days paid time off to recover from the loss of an early pregnancy, as well as up to 10 days paid leave for employees accessing fertility treatments like IVF.

“Despite Labour’s push for action during Private Members’ Time in the Seanad in November 2023, and in the Dáil in January 2024, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil opted to kick the can on introducing this practical and much-needed support for women,” she said.

With International Women’s Day being celebrated this weekend and government parties putting out press releases in support of incremental changes for women’s rights, Sherlcok said “Labour are calling for meaningful action for women, not lip service.”

“It’s time to introduce leave when it matters most, for women at a very vulnerable time in their lives.”

“Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil’s failure to progress legislation to provide for leave for women during a time of great loss is a stark reminder of the uphill battle women face in advocating for compassionate workplace policies,” she said.

Sherlock noted that the government itself commissioned a report on the issue in 2024 titled PLACES: Pregnancy Loss (under 24 weeks) in Workplaces Report on Informing Policymakers on Support Mechanisms.

The report called for the introduction of policies to provide time off work following pregnancy loss before 24 weeks, among other measures.

“The statistics are stark – over one in six pregnancies end in early miscarriage or because of an ectopic pregnancy and one in six couples grapple with fertility challenges. Despite overwhelming support for this leave across the country, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil’s choice to defer addressing this issue suggests a removal from the reality facing so many women across this country,” she said.

“Earlier this week it was announced that mothers and partners in England, Wales and Scotland will be granted two weeks of bereavement leave if they experience miscarriage or stillbirth before 24 weeks’ gestation; it’s beyond time that we introduce the same here.

“Since the introduction of the Labour Party Bill, I have been inundated with women sharing their experience of loss. The majority of these cases are unexpected. It is a profoundly sad and devastating experience. We need to provide leave when it matters most. This International Women’s Day, I’m calling on the government to step up and do the right thing for women.”