TWO DAYS OF PAID MENSTRUAL LEAVE PER MONTH TO BE INTRODUCED

PODGORICA, JULY 27 /SRNA/ - Montenegro's Parliament has adopted amendments to the Health Insurance Law, granting women the right to two days of paid menstrual leave per month.

The entitlement applies to women suffering from secondary dysmenorrhea, or painful menstrual cycles caused by underlying medical conditions such as endometriosis, polyps, fibroids… "The proposed legal amendments grant women with secondary dysmenorrhea the right to a special category of temporary incapacity for work. Secondary dysmenorrhea refers to a condition accompanied by painful symptoms caused by a previously diagnosed gynecological disorder," the explanatory notes to the legislation state. Under the amendments, the diagnosis of secondary dysmenorrhea must be made by a medical specialist, and insured women are required to renew the medical certificate no later than December 31 each year and submit it to their employer by January 30 of the following year. The law was adopted with the explanation that it represents a significant step toward improving the protection of women's health and recognizing their specific healthcare needs within the compulsory health insurance system, Montenegrin media reported.