Cork senator calls for introduction of paid miscarriage leave

A Cork Oireachtas member has called upon the Government to take urgent action and introduce paid miscarriage leave.

Speaking on International Women’s Day, Labour Party senator Laura Harmon said a bill put forward by her party would provide women with up to 20 days of paid leave to recover from an early pregnancy loss.

The Labour Party’s Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021 would also allow 10 days of paid leave for workers undergoing fertility treatments such as IVF (in-vitro fertilisation).

Ms Harmon, a former Cork city councillor who was elected to the Seanad in February, said International Women’s Day should not just be about slogans.

“Despite repeated calls for action, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil continue to kick the can down the road, leaving women without the workplace support they need at a time of great loss,” she said.

“Women in Cork and across Ireland deserve real workplace protections when they need them most.

“Miscarriage is loss, and too many women are forced to carry on working as if nothing has happened, with no time to grieve or recover.”

Ms Harmon urged the Government to act swiftly and introduce such leave.

“Their failure to introduce miscarriage leave is a stark reminder of the uphill battle women face in advocating for even the most basic workplace rights,” she said.

“Labour is calling on the Government to step up and introduce leave when it matters most.

“Women in Cork and across Ireland deserve better than empty words — it’s time for action.”