After the adoption of a law in Spain, the subject emerged in France. And the left is positioning itself.
In front of the press in the Assembly, the elected ecologists presented an "applicable" proposal to "break the taboo on menstruation". Co-author of this proposal with Marie-Charlotte Garin and Sébastien Peytavie, Sandrine Rousseau is "hopeful" that it will be adopted "in a transpartisan way", even if it is not on the agenda at this stage.
Their text provides for the possibility of a work stoppage in the event of "disabling menstruation" (pain, nausea, headache, ...), recognized by a doctor or midwife. The persons concerned could file thirteen days out of a year, depending on their needs. The work stoppage would be fully covered by health insurance and exempted from waiting days.
It could be renewed once a year, bringing the maximum duration to 26 days "for the most serious cases".
On the PS side, MPs Mickaël Bouloux and Fatiha Keloua Hachi tabled their own text in early May, and senators did the same in April. "We are ready to lift the taboo of rules," insists Mr. Bouloux.
The PS deputies also propose a work stoppage of 13 days spread over a year, and without deficiency, but within the limit of two days per month.
Allies of the ecologists, the socialists called Friday in a statement for "a convergence of all initiatives", and the creation of a "transpartisan working group". "There are public health issues where we have to go beyond parties," Keloua Hachi said.
Each text has its specificities: the socialist deputies propose a leave of 5 days in case of miscarriage, and intend to force companies to introduce "material measures" for menstrual health.
The ecologists want to enshrine in labour law the prohibition of any discrimination on the grounds of menstrual health, and require companies to organize "every three years" awareness-raising actions. They intend to extend the professional equality index to gender inequalities.
At this stage everyone defends his version, and hopes to convince even in the presidential camp. The environmentalists are calling for a meeting with the government.
At the end of March, the city of Saint-Ouen (Seine-Saint-Denis) launched the experiment of a menstrual leave for its agents.
The menstrual © cycle Cléa PÉCULIER / AFP / Archives
On the government side, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne mentioned at the end of April the possibility of "facilitating" menstrual leave schemes already granted by some companies. But MPs insist on passing through law.
If the left-wing groups could include their texts in their reserved days during the next ordinary session (end of 2023 or in 2024), they invite the presidential camp to support their actions. With the hope of examining a bill during a "transpartisan" week, with several days of debate if necessary.
© 2023 AFP