House Of Representatives Deliberates On Proposal For Paid Leave For Widows And Widowers

A proposed legislation advocating for five months of leave for widows and 30 days for widowers successfully passed the second reading at the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The aim of this leave, as highlighted, is to allow the grieving spouse to mourn the loss of their partner and address immediate challenges….READ ALSOHouse Of Representatives Advocates Fair Compensation For Nigerian Workers

The bill, championed by Saidu Abdullahi, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Finance and the representative of the Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Constituency of Niger State, stipulates that widows are entitled to a five-month period of widowhood leave, while widowers are granted one month off, both with full pay.

Furthermore, the bill extends the coverage of this leave to employees in both public and private sectors across the federation. It also outlines penalties for any Chief Executive who contravenes these provisions, leaving the specifics of punishment to be determined by regulatory bodies.

During the debate, Abdullahi emphasized the myriad challenges faced by widows and widowers in Nigeria post-loss and underscored the significance of this legislation in providing support during such a difficult period.

He also referenced similar legislation in other countries, such as India and the Philippines, highlighting the absence of such provisions in Nigeria’s current Labour Act, 2004, and the necessity for its revision.

Supporting the bill, Ademorin Kuje (APC-Lagos) emphasized its alignment with traditional practices in the country, further advocating for its legal implementation.