Spain debates allowing menstrual leave for workers

Women in Spain are applauding a government proposal that could see their nation become the first in Europe to allow workers to take menstrual leave.

The new legislation is expected to be debated and approved on Tuesday during a weekly cabinet meeting. The proposal has sparked debate over whether the policy would help or hinder women. Most women experience some level of discomfort or pain during their periods.

A smaller percentage of women suffer from severely painful menstruations with symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness. The new legislation is targeted at them. While a handful of private companies across Europe have adopted period policies, enacting a nationwide approach would make Spain a pioneer in Europe. One of Spain's major labour unions, the General Union of Workers, or UGT, panned the draft legislation, saying it could lead to women facing workplace discrimination.