The Gabriela Women’s Party on Wednesday filed a bill granting a two-day paid menstrual leave per month to female employees both in the private and public sectors.
In filing House Bill 7758, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas said that women should be provided with the flexibility and support they need to manage their reproductive health without the fear of negative consequences such as losing pay, falling behind in work, or facing disciplinary action.
The bill defines menstrual leave as benefits granted to a female employee allowing her not to report for work for up to two days every month due to premenstrual or menstrual tension but continuing to earn 100 percent of the compensation.
It covers all female employees, except pregnant and menopausal women, regardless of the nature or status of their employment.
The bill provides that the menstrual leave will be non-cumulative and strictly non-convertible to cash.
It also states that the paid menstrual leave should not be construed as diminishing existing maternity benefits currently enjoyed, whether or not these are granted under collective bargaining agreements or present laws, if the same is more beneficial to the female worker.
It cannot also be used as a basis for demotion in employment or termination, Brosas bill stated.
