Time for a menstrual leave policy, says MP

 

Menstrual pains can significantly impact women’s health and their productivity at work, says women-led NGO Lean In Malaysia. (Rawpixel pic)

PETALING JAYA: Klang MP Charles Santiago has called for the speedy drafting and enforcement of a policy that requires employers to grant leave to menstruating women if they need it.

He claimed this would promote employee loyalty and productivity.

He said countries such as Japan and Indonesia had implemented their menstrual leave policies successfully.

Santiago said there was awareness in those countries of how debilitating period pains could be for some women.

“This should have become a permanent policy in Malaysia a long time ago and should be viewed as a progressive step towards increasing productivity and loyalty,” he told FMT.

He alleged that Malaysian employers were more interested in profits than the wellbeing of their workers, particularly women workers.

“Employers will always give excuses when they should be accommodating,” he said.

“This is a right that must be championed by both women and men in the country.”

He called for a thorough study on the regulation of such a policy, saying it should be led by the human resources, and the women, family and community development ministries and involve NGOs, women’s groups and other stakeholders.

“This leave is not for the duration of the menses, just for a couple of days,” he said. “It must be tightly regulated so there is no abuse.”

A recent study on period-related symptoms in Malaysia found that 86% of women suffered from pain and 81% of these said it affected their ability to work.

A spokesman for Lean In Malaysia, a women-led NGO, called for acknowledgement of menstrual pains.

“Endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome and other illnesses significantly impact women’s health and their productivity at work,” said the spokesman, citing a study that said menstrual symptoms could cause up to nine days of lost productivity at work.

The spokesman also said menstrual leave had proven to boost productivity, work-life balance and talent retention.

“Menstrual leave makes employees feel respected and understood, therefore boosting their work motivation and engagement.”

Women’s Innovative Empowerment Network group operations director Junaida Hamid said she saw no reason to defer implementing a menstrual leave policy.

“If there is medical evidence that a woman is suffering from menstrual pain, she should be granted leave,” she said. - FMT