Spain aims to extend bereavement leave to 10 days

Spain's second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour Yolanda Díaz announced Thursday October 9th her intention to extend bereavement leave in Spain to up to 10 days.

In addition to this, she also talked about a proposal for a new paid leave to allow family members to accompany patients during palliative care.

"It's only fair … No one can go to work well two days after the death of a father, a mother, a son, a daughter, a friend. No one can do it well. No one," Díaz explained during a recent press conference.

The law will determine the number of days of bereavement leave based on "the degree of consanguinity and affinity," up to a maximum of 10 days. This means the closer the family member, the more days you will be able to take off work.

"It's not much either; there are comparative laws that have more comprehensive provisions, but it is an important step," Díaz pointed out.

READ ALSO: Spain increases paid parental leave to 19 weeks

Currently, Spain only allows for between two to four days of paid leave when a family member passes away.

In article 37 of the Workers' Statute, it states workers are allowed two days "for the death of a spouse, common-law partner, or relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity”. This can be extended by two days if there is a displacement.

In the case of palliative care, this type of paid leave currently does not exist.

It seems only fair given that workers have 15 calendar days for marriage or registered civil partnership; five days for serious accident or illness, hospitalisation, surgery of a spouse, civil partner, or relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity; and one day for moving house.

Spain’s General Workers Union the UGT and the general secretary of the Workers' Commissions (CC.OO.), Unai Sordo, said this is "good news because Spain was at the tail end of the protection of this right, with an extremely short leave time."

The new measures have already been discussed by the government but would still need approval from Congress before they are implemented.

This comes just a month after Spain extended paid parental leave from 16 to 19 weeks in a bid to enhance family support and gender equality.