French Progressive Party Proposes Menstrual Leave Bill
Senate Vote: 117 in Favor VS 206 Against...Rejected
A menstrual leave bill proposed by a progressive party in France was rejected in the Senate amid concerns that women might face discrimination during the hiring process.
According to the daily newspaper Le Parisien on the 15th (local time), the French Senate voted down the menstrual leave bill introduced by the Socialist Party with 117 votes in favor and 206 against.
The bill proposed guaranteeing one or two days of leave per month, up to a maximum of 12 days per year, for female workers suffering from endometriosis or severe menstrual pain. It also required submission of a medical certificate valid for one year as proof for taking the leave.
While some local governments and companies in France have independently introduced menstrual leave, the Socialist Party proposed expanding this to a national level and legally guaranteeing it.
However, the bill failed to pass the Senate, where right-wing and centrist members hold the majority, and the government also expressed opposition to the bill.
Fr?d?rique Valletoux, Minister of Health, expressed concerns during the debate, stating, "Women could be discriminated against during hiring." She explained that if menstrual leave is legalized, companies might be less inclined to hire women who could potentially have fewer working days compared to men.
Beatrice Goslin, a member of the right-wing Republicans, opposed the bill, arguing that it infringes on privacy and could lead to increased social security costs.
After discussions, centrist lawmakers in the parliament proposed amendments to reduce menstrual leave to one day per month or limit it to cases of "symptomatic endometriosis," but the bill was ultimately rejected.
Laurence Rossignol, the Socialist Party lawmaker who proposed the bill, criticized the decision, saying, "It is a regrettable decision for women who still have to wait," and added, "We have lost the opportunity to keep pace with social progress rather than leading society." However, some within the Socialist Party acknowledged that the debate helped bring the social issue into public discussion.
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