A proposal aimed at granting five months of leave for both male and female workers who have lost their spouses has passed its second reading at the House of Representatives.
Sponsored by Rep. Sa’idu Musa Abdullahi (APC, Niger), the bill is titled
“A Bill for an Act to make Provision for Widowhood Leave to be Given to Man or Woman whose Spouse died during the Subsistence of the Marriage to Enable the Widow and Widower mourn the deceased Spouse and make immediate arrangements for the challenges ahead and for Related Matters (HB.401)”.
According to the bill, widows would be entitled to a five-month Widowhood leave, while widowers would be granted a one-month leave with full pay in similar circumstances. It specifies that the provision would apply to employees in both the public and private sectors across the nation.
During the plenary session on Tuesday, March 19, Abdullahi emphasized the profound impact of losing a spouse, stressing the need for individuals to have adequate time to mourn within a defined period.
He highlighted that many cultures and religions in Nigeria recognize a mourning period for women only, prompting the necessity for a legally recognized period for both spouses.
Abdullahi underscored the disparity between the mourning period provided by public sector organizations (typically 14 days) and the cultural and religious practices prevalent in Nigeria.
He noted that in various regions and religions, mourning periods differ significantly, ranging from three days to several months.
Supporting the bill, Rep. Ademorin Kuye shared a personal anecdote about his mother’s experience when his father passed away, emphasizing the challenges she faced and the need for such leave provisions.
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 scrutiny.
