A bill proposing to extend bereavement leave for both male and female workers who have lost their spouses has made progress in the Nigerian House of Representatives, following its second reading at the plenary on Tuesday.
The bill, presented by Rep Saidu Abdullahi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Niger State, aims to provide support to individuals coping with the loss of their spouses by granting them an extended period of leave from work.
Abdullahi highlighted the importance of addressing the needs of grieving individuals and positioning Nigeria among the leading countries worldwide in terms of workers’ welfare.
In his presentation, Abdullahi emphasized the cultural and religious diversity of Nigeria, noting that existing provisions for bereavement leave, typically around 14 days in public sector organizations, may not adequately accommodate the mourning practices prevalent in the country. He underscored the significance of considering cultural contexts, such as the varying mourning periods observed in different regions and religious traditions.
The proposed bill seeks to extend bereavement leave to up to five months for widows and 30 days for widowers, aligning with cultural norms and practices across Nigeria.
Abdullahi emphasized the importance of providing sufficient time for individuals to mourn their spouses and receive support from their communities during this challenging period.
In response to the presentation, the Speaker of the House, Rep Tajudeen Abbas, referred the bill to the House Committee on Public Sector Reforms for further legislative scrutiny and deliberation. The committee will review the bill and make recommendations before it can proceed to the next stage of the legislative process.
