New Changes to Employment Act to Support Women

Proposed updates to the Employment Relations Act aim to improve workplace support for women.

The changes could allow women to use three sick leave days for menstruation-related discomfort, take leave after a miscarriage, and extend maternity leave.

Acting Director of Labour Standards, Daniel Tagivakatini, explained that miscarriages between zero and 12 weeks could allow three days of leave, seven days for miscarriages between 13 and 23 weeks, and maternity leave for those after 24 weeks.

Women may also receive six months of maternity leave, with the first three months paid.

Nursing mothers could get a 30-minute daily paid break, depending on workplace policies.