The House of Representatives has moved a step closer to granting five months of bereavement leave to both male and female workers who have lost their spouses, as a bill proposing this measure has passed its second reading.
Presented by Saidu Abdullahi (APC-Niger) during Tuesday's plenary session, the bill aims to align Nigeria's labor laws with global standards and provide adequate support to grieving individuals.
Abdullahi emphasized the need to consider cultural and religious practices surrounding mourning, highlighting that existing bereavement leave periods may be insufficient in certain contexts.
In response, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas referred the bill to the House Committee on Public Sector Reforms for further legislative review. If enacted, this legislation could significantly improve the welfare of widows and widowers across Nigeria, acknowledging the unique challenges they face during periods of bereavement
