Levuka residents question menstrual leave provision in Employment Bill

Concerns over the proposed menstrual leave provision in the Employment Relations Bill have been raised during the consultation on the Employment Relations Bill.

While speaking during the consultation in Levuka, a resident questioned how menstrual leave would affect workplace productivity, particularly for companies like PAFCO, which employs a large number of women.

Committee member and MP Premila Kumar, responded that not all women experience the same level of discomfort during menstruation.

She says that there are only some women with extreme cases, and employers would know.

Kumar adds that those who wish to see additional safeguards, such as requiring a medical certificate, can make such submissions to the committee.

She acknowledged that companies such as PAFCO are predominantly staffed by women and that the operations must continue, saying she understood the concern about balancing productivity and workers’ wellbeing.