Reproductive health leave bill
Deputy Bacik urged action on Labour’s bill for paid leave after early pregnancy loss and for reproductive healthcare. The Taoiseach welcomed the point, listed existing workers’ rights measures, and said he would check the bill’s position and revert.
I wish everyone a happy May Day. I also wish Deputy McDonald a happy birthday today. May Day is a day when we mark progress made on workers' rights and note how much still remains to be done.
I raise with the Taoiseach workers' rights legislation that we in Labour brought forward in January. We used our Private Members' time to debate our Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021, which, if passed, would offer paid leave of up to 20 days for women who experience early pregnancy loss and up to ten days for employees accessing reproductive healthcare treatments, such as IVF. In short, we would provide for leave when it matters most for compassionate workplaces. We were disappointed that the Government put a stay of 12 months on progressing that Bill further through Second Stage. More than three months have passed since then. Therefore, on May Day, could the Taoiseach update us on whether he proposes to do anything to make further progress on our important proposal, which would contribute greatly to making workplaces more compassionate and provide for workers' rights?
Comment on this
I wish the Deputy a happy May Day as well. I thank her for raising this issue. This Government has taken any number of measures in terms of workers' rights, whether that is the statutory sick scheme, domestic violence leave or parental leave. I appreciate the area the Deputy has raised is very important and sensitive to many people. I will familiarise myself with where that is within the Department. I will talk to the line Minister directly and come back to the Deputy.