Germany introduces maternity leave for women experiencing miscarriage, extending benefits to support physical and emotional recovery.
The German parliament has made significant changes to maternity protection laws, extending benefits to women who have suffered miscarriages after the 13th week of pregnancy. This new regulation aims to support women during a period of physical and emotional recovery.
Germany offers comprehensive maternity protection to its citizens.
Pregnant women are entitled to 14 weeks of paid 'maternity leave' , which can be taken until the child is eight months old.
During this period, they receive 100% of their salary, up to a maximum of €1,800 per month.
Additionally, new mothers have the right to flexible working hours and protection from dismissal for six months after returning to work.
Germany's maternity protection laws aim to ensure that parents can balance work and family responsibilities.
A New Era in Maternity Leave Protection
Under current German law, women are entitled to paid maternity leave starting six weeks before birth and continuing for eight weeks after birth. However, this protection did not extend to women who experienced miscarriages. The new law seeks to address this gap by providing an option for women to take maternity leave if they miscarry after the 13th week of pregnancy.
Key Changes in the New Law
Prior to the introduction of this regulation, women who suffered a miscarriage before the 24th week of pregnancy often had to actively apply for medical leave. Whether they would receive it was sometimes unclear. The new law changes this by providing an automatic entitlement to maternity leave for women who miscarry after the 13th week of pregnancy.
A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 15% to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage.
The most common cause is chromosomal abnormalities, accounting for up to 70% of cases.
Other factors include hormonal imbalances, uterine anomalies, and maternal health conditions.
Symptoms may include vaginal bleeding or severe abdominal pain.
A Cross-Party Agreement
The parliamentary committee responsible for the bill adopted the text introduced by the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) bloc. This move reflects a cross-party agreement to strengthen maternity protection in Germany.
Implementation and Impact
The law will be discussed in the Bundesrat, the upper house of the German parliament, on February 14. If approved, it could go into effect on June 1 of this year. It is estimated that approximately 6,000 miscarriages occur in Germany each year between the 13th and 24th week of pregnancy. The new regulation aims to provide essential support during a challenging time for these women.
Next Steps
The introduction of this new law marks an important step towards strengthening maternity protection in Germany. As it moves through the legislative process, it is expected to receive further attention and discussion.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) recommends that countries provide at least 14 weeks of paid maternity leave.
In the US, the 'Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)' provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for eligible employees.
Maternity protection also includes access to prenatal care, breastfeeding support, and protections against workplace discrimination.
Maternity protection refers to the policies and laws that safeguard a pregnant woman's health, well-being, and job security.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) recommends that countries provide at least 14 weeks of paid maternity leave.
In the US, the 'Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)' provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for eligible employees.
