Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1493590
7 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 FEBRUARY 2023 Unions divided over menstrual leave MARIANNA CALLEJA MENSTRUAL leave, a propos- al put up for discussion by La- bour MP Rosianne Cutajar in the House of Representatives, should not be treated as a prior- ity in social dialogue discussons, the Malta Employers Associa- tion has said. In comments to MaltaToday, the MEA said there should be no additional sick leave categories. "Employees unfit for any reason may only avail themselves of sick leave... we cannot have separate or additional sick leave for differ- ent medical conditions," the MEA said. Cutajar has suggested Parlia- ment should explore instituting menstrual cycle leave, particular- ly for those suffering from endo- metriosis, dysmenorrhea, ovarian cysts, and fibroids. But critics will claim that such a reform makes the female gender appear weaker to men, or create a new form of discrimination from employers favouring men simply for having shorter statutory leave. The General Workers' Union, on the other hand, told MaltaTo- day it welcomes the discussion. "The fulcrum of the discussion should be the wellbeing of our work force. We are always in fa- vour to discuss new benefits and rights for all female workers," a GWU spokesperson said. The union said that up until a few years ago, menstrual pain was not even considered as a valid ail- ment for sick leave. Since then the GWU has been raising these is- sues with employers' bodies, such as proposing that all patients re- ceveing chemotherapy should be able to benefit from medical leave. Cutajar's proposal has not yet found strong footing in her own government, with parliamenta- ry secretary for equality Rebecca Buttigieg commenting that she had heard equally valid points opposing the additional leave. "One thing I am shocked at is the amount of misogynistic remarks reacting to my colleague's propos- al. Certainly, we have a lot more to fight for," Buttigieg told MaltaTo- day. While menstruation leave may not be debated in parliament in Malta anytime soon, Buttigieg emphasised that the conversa- tion is constantly ongoing among stakeholders, since they may be adopting the change as well.