New provisions in ERA may introduce menstrual leave

New provisions in ERA may introduce menstrual leave

By Rashika Kumar
Thursday 16/01/2025

New provisions in the Employment Relations Act, aimed at enhancing protection for women in the workplace, could allow women to use three out of the 10 days of sick leave if they are suffering due to menstruation, take leave if they suffer a miscarriage, and have access to more days of maternity leave.

Acting Director of Labour Standards Service, Daniel Tagivakatini, highlighted this during a public consultation on the Employment Relations Act at the Nausori Market.

While acknowledging that it is not an illness, Tagivakatini says specific days for menstruation leave should be considered, though this is something they will examine further.

He further says a new provision will also provide leave for women who suffer a miscarriage where a woman can receive up to three working days of leave if a miscarriage occurs between the zero and 12th week of pregnancy.

Tagivakatini says if a miscarriage occurs between the 13th and 23rd week, the woman can receive seven days of leave, while maternity leave provisions will apply if a miscarriage occurs after the 24th week.

He also says nursing mothers could receive a 30-minute paid daily rest period, but its implementation will depend on the workplace policy.

The Acting Director further says women can get up to six months of maternity leave, although only the first three months will be paid.

He adds that women may take an additional three months of unpaid leave if they or their baby experience complications.

However, Tagivakatini says after this period, the employer will have the prerogative to terminate the contract if the woman is unable to fulfill her duties under the contract.

Public consultations on the Employment Relations Act and the Work Care Bill 2024 will continue at the Suva Civic Centre from 9am to midday and at the Namosi Provincial Council Hall from 3pm to 6pm tomorrow.

FEATURE NEWS
Ministry confirms IV fluids not out of stock but some medical experts concerned about low stocks
As dengue cases rise in the country, the Ministry of Health confirms that intravenous (IV) fluids are not out of stock. Some medical experts have s...
13 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Elections and Stuff
As with constitutions Fiji has a proud record of sampling electoral systems. Each process has its advocates but apart from our previous Government ...
13 hours ago

SODELPA calls for return of constituencies, vernacular name use, and drug test for candidates
SODELPA is calling for the return of the constituencies in the electoral system as consultation on the review of three electoral laws began ...
13 hours ago

New teachers voice pay delays and FNPF issues while Radrodro says document submission is key to processing
Many teachers who have started teaching this year are raising serious concerns about not receiving their pay since the school term started while the ...
14 hours ago

Free mobile eye screenings to benefit rural communities
People in Viti Levu and Vanua Levu will soon benefit from free mobile eye screenings thanks to Island Medical Centre. Island Medical Centre ...
14 hours ago

Students of Jeremaiah Raibevu College and Tacirua Primary benefit from new classrooms and labs
Year 12 and 13 students of Jeremaiah Raibevu College will now have access to two new classrooms and a science lab after the opening of a new building ...
14 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Top Interventional Cardiologist Dr Kapadia on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on health services in the country. The former Marist Brothers Primary and High School student who has been practising medicine ...
19 hours ago

Supervisor of Elections on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The interview focus on preparations for the 2026 general elections, voter related issues, electoral laws, the 2022 glitch and the municipal council ...
20 hours ago

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Coach, Glen Jackson on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Coach, Glen Jackson appeared on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan from the Drua base in Nadi. Coming off ...
5 days ago

TOP