South Korea to extend paid leave for women who experience miscarriages or stillbirths
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South Korea’s Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy has highlighted the inadequacy of the existing five-day leave for women to recover from miscarriages or stillbirths.
PHOTO: PIXABAY
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SEOUL – South Korea will extend paid leave for women who experience a miscarriage or stillbirth before the 11th week of pregnancy, doubling the current allowance from five to 10 days.
The Ministry of Employment and Labour said on Nov 20 that it has announced partial amendments to related laws, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, Employment Insurance Act and Labour Standards Act. The changes will be open for public consultation until Dec 30.
The amendments are slated to take effect on Feb 23, 2025, and are part of broader measures aimed at tackling the country’s declining birthrate
The changes stem from recommendations made by the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy, which highlighted the inadequacy of the existing five-day leave for women to recover from miscarriages or stillbirths.
The committee emphasised the need for the extension at a meeting held in October, saying that high-risk pregnancies due to advanced maternal age are on the rise, prompting the need for more significant support. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
