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Spain

Spain introduces menstrual leave [updated]

The Spanish parliament recently passed new legislation introducing multiple changes to menstrual and reproductive health legislation including a government-paid temporary sick leave for female employees who suffer severe menstrual pain. The new leave (also called “menstrual leave”) may be taken for as long as needed so long as the temporary medical incapacity is approved by a doctor.

The legislation will enter into effect three months after its publication in the Official Gazette (the exact publication date is still yet to be determined).

Guernsey to mandate auto-enrollment in an occupational pension scheme [updated]

The government of Guernsey recently approved a secondary pensions policy requiring the mandatory, automatic enrollment of employees into either a government-facilitated defined-contribution scheme (Your Island Pension- YIP) or a qualified, employer-sponsored pension plan.

Contributions will start at 1% for both the employer and the employee. The contribution rate will automatically increase annually until it reaches 3.5% for employers and 6.5% for employees in 2031.

Mexico

Mexico to introduce menstrual leave

The Mexican government recently introduced amendments to the Federal Labor Law and to the Federal Law for State Workers to provide a government-paid menstrual leave of up to three days per month for all employees who menstruate, including cisgender women, transgender men, intersex, and non-binary persons.
The proposed amendments are in the initial legislative stages and have not yet been enacted.

Bulgaria expands family leave entitlements

The Bulgarian government recently amended its Labour Code to extend paternity leave entitlements and introduce a right to flexible work arrangements for parents of young children and carers. The amendments align Bulgaria with the European Union Directive No. 2019/1158 on work-life balance for parents and carers.

The amendments were published in the State Gazette and became effective on 1 August 2022.

Hungary

Hungary expands family leave entitlements

The Hungarian government recently passed significant employment legislation to introduce parental and carer’s leave entitlements, double the number of paternity leave days and introduce a right to request flexible work arrangements. The legislation brings Hungary into alignment with the European Union Directive No. 2019/1158 on work-life balance for parents and carers.

The amendments to the Hungarian Labor Code provisions entered into effect on 1 January 2023.

Switzerland

Switzerland establishes paid adoption leave

The Swiss government recently passed amendments to the Swiss Code of Obligations (“CO”) and to the Loss of Earnings Compensation Act (“LECA”), granting ten working days of government-paid adoption leave to employees who adopt children under the age of four. The leave entitlement went into effect on 1 January 2023.

Malaysia

Malaysia to expand family leave entitlements [Updated]

On 30 March 2022, the Malaysian Parliament passed the Employment Bill 2021 introducing several amendments to the Employment Act of 1955, including the extension of the maternity leave from 60 days to 98 days and the introduction of a seven-day employer-paid paternity leave. The new Bill entered into effect on 1 January 2023.

Belgium

Belgium expands family leave entitlements

The Belgium government recently passed new legislation transposing the European Union (EU) Directive 2019/1158 on work-life balance for parents and carers into local law. The new rule, which introduces unpaid carer’s leave, entered into effect on 7 October 2022.

Romania

Romania expands family leave entitlements

The Romanian government recently passed new legislation enacting the European Union (EU) Directive 2019/1158 on work-life balance for parents and carers into local law. The new rules amend requirements for paternity leave, carer’s leave, family emergency leave, and flexible work schedules.