The Ministry of Social Affairs is at work on a bill which would create a ‘grief leave’ for parents who have lost a child, RÚV reports. It’s hoped that the drafted bill will be ready to present to parliament by the spring.
Minister for Social Affairs and Children Ásmundur Einar Daðason previously explained that the grief leave would expand on rights already in place for people living in Iceland, such as parental leave when a child is born. The ministry is also considering making provisions for parents who have recently been widowed.
In June, Ásmundur Einar said this initiative, like many others, had been put on the back burner while the government shifted its focus to coronavirus-related legislation. Ministry experts have since been able to return their attention to the proposal, however, and a draft of the proposed bill is in progress.
