This followed the presentation of the general principles of the bill by the sponsor, Rep Saidu Abdullahi (APC-Niger) at the plenary on Tuesday.
Presenting the bill, Abdullahi said the bill was to place Nigeria among the top countries in the world in terms of workers’ welfare as the law existed in many countries
“This crucial piece of legislation aims to address the pressing issue of supporting individuals who have lost their spouses, helping them navigate the challenging period of widowhood,” he said.
He said that research findings had shown that in Nigeria, public sector organisations grant up to 14 days leave for workers who lost their spouses for the burials.
“Therefore, one may say the 14 days prescribed by Public Sector Rules is sufficient but when one looks at the prevalent cultural and religious practices of Nigeria, it seems inadequate.
“It is always necessary that an organisation looks at the cultural context as the way people mourn is deeply rooted in culture.
“In Eastern Nigeria, for instance, the burial of the deceased usually takes place after a few weeks or months and the mourning period for a widow in modern times is three months, even though traditionally it is up to a year.
“In Islam, while mourning is usually three days, the waiting period for a widow is up to four months,” he said.
Abdullahi added: “During this period the bereaved spouse receives visitors for at least a month.
“Therefore, with our culture in view, giving a widower 30 days and a widow five months of widowhood leave for the death of a spouse may be reasonable.”
In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Rep Tajudeen Abbas referred the bill to the House Committee on Public Sector Reforms for further legislative actions.
“This crucial piece of legislation aims to address the pressing issue of supporting individuals who have lost their spouses, helping them navigate the challenging period of widowhood,” he said.
He said that research findings had shown that in Nigeria, public sector organisations grant up to 14 days leave for workers who lost their spouses for the burials.
“Therefore, one may say the 14 days prescribed by Public Sector Rules is sufficient but when one looks at the prevalent cultural and religious practices of Nigeria, it seems inadequate.
“It is always necessary that an organisation looks at the cultural context as the way people mourn is deeply rooted in culture.
“In Eastern Nigeria, for instance, the burial of the deceased usually takes place after a few weeks or months and the mourning period for a widow in modern times is three months, even though traditionally it is up to a year.
“In Islam, while mourning is usually three days, the waiting period for a widow is up to four months,” he said.
Abdullahi added: “During this period the bereaved spouse receives visitors for at least a month.
“Therefore, with our culture in view, giving a widower 30 days and a widow five months of widowhood leave for the death of a spouse may be reasonable.”
In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Rep Tajudeen Abbas referred the bill to the House Committee on Public Sector Reforms for further legislative actions.
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Absolutely not. Leave only if requested
ReplyDeleteLazy country,
ReplyDeleteVery lazy!!!
DeleteThis is a good one when passed into law. I think it's highly commendable.
ReplyDelete© TEEJAY
The law if passed must include that their employment will be secured for the grief period. Cause some of these employers are so shady.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think many countries have anything like this built into the law, so this is refreshing.
U are right but this bill is just fo civil servants and not for people working in a private firm
DeleteMisplaced priority. SMH.
ReplyDeleteSluttychic.
To what's end exactly?🤔🤔🤔
ReplyDeleteLoss of loved one leads to long term grief. What the widow needs is support which could be emotional, spiritual, financial etc cetera. The widow needs protection against barbaric cultures and social stigma. Prolong absence from work is no cure for grief. In fact, for some people, going to work is comforting.
ReplyDeleteYou are wise!!!
DeleteThis is a good initiative. It's done in most countries in the western world. Where I live, spouses are given about six months to mourn their partners' death or the loss of a child, this does not affect their employment.
ReplyDeleteThis helps them in their trying period.
5months, haba. e go shock dem when they see widow in the office after 6weeks.
ReplyDeleteWill it be implemented last last
ReplyDeleteOkay.
ReplyDelete5 months is too long if you ask me, mingling with people after the death of a loved one helps reduce overthinking. What would I be doing for 5 months at home?? Thinking about them or what???
ReplyDeleteThis doesn't make sense if you ask me, why not increase maternity leave to 5 months instead of 3 months, paternity leave can be 2 months instead of 1 month.
House of reps members and Misplaced priorities are 5&6. I ain't surprised
Can they also increase maternity leave? Some women lose their job once they become pregnant because they fall sick. Could a law be passed to extend maternity leave to 1 year at a reduced/no salary but with job guarantee for the mother?
ReplyDelete