Ministry of Labor Proposes 10-Day Bereavement Leave
The Ministry of Labor is seeking to extend bereavement leave for family members to 10 days via royal decree. This initiative aims to provide immediate support for workers dealing with the loss of loved ones. However, the potential for Congress to overturn the measure raises concerns about its sustainability.
The Government’s Strategy
By utilizing a decree law instead of an ordinary draft law, the government hopes to bypass lengthy parliamentary procedures. This approach would allow the extended leave to take effect the day after its publication in the Official State Bulletin (BOE). However, Congress must validate the decree within a month, at which point it could be challenged. During this validation period, workers facing bereavement could benefit from the new policy.
Recent Agreements and Changes
On December 15, the government reached an agreement with labor unions CCOO and UGT to increase the paid leave for the death of immediate family members from two days to ten. This leave can be taken in a single block or in parts over four weeks. Additionally, the agreement includes a new 15-day permit for palliative care, which can be used in two segments over three months, and a single day off to accompany someone receiving euthanasia, irrespective of familial ties.
Opposition from Employers
The proposal faces significant opposition from employer associations such as CEOE and Cepyme. They argue that extending leave places unfair burdens on companies, transferring public care responsibilities to the private sector. The lack of consensus has strengthened the stance of the People’s Party (PP), which has declared its intention to vote against the measure unless it garners joint support from both unions and employers.
Critical Votes and Political Dynamics
The approval of the bereavement leave extension hinges on key parliamentary votes, with parties like Junts and PNV becoming central players. Their support or abstention could be pivotal for the measure’s success. Previous alliances between these parties and the PP on other labor-related issues indicate a challenging path ahead.
Spain’s Position Compared to Europe
Spain’s current bereavement leave policies are notably less generous than those in other European nations. For instance, Portugal offers 20 days for spousal death while France grants up to 14 days for the death of a child under 25. This discrepancy has led the Ministry to argue that the existing two-day leave in Spain is inadequate for adequately grieving a loved one.
The Controversial Vote
The move to process the leave extension through a decree law reflects a calculated effort to minimize opposition. The issue of bereavement is deeply sensitive, transcending political affiliations. Joaquín Pérez Rey from the Ministry emphasized that “suffering from the death of a son or daughter” is a universal concern that should not be politicized.