Seeks to require companies to grant employees paid leave to say goodbye to their animals.
News Colombia.
In a significant step toward recognizing the emotional rights of pet owners, Representative Alexandra Vásquez has introduced a bill in the Congress of the Republic of Colombia.
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The proposal seeks to establish paid leave for pet owners in the event of the death of their pets, reflecting the deep emotional bond that exists between humans and their pets.
The initiative establishes that workers can request up to three working days of paid bereavement leave, allowing pet owners to grieve and say goodbye to their animals with due time and respect.
“This project recognizes the multispecies family by granting three working days of bereavement leave. Animals are an important part of human life and workers have the right to fire their pets,” Vásquez said through her X account.
🔴✍🏻 Today we are submitting the Bill that creates a Paid Leave for the Death of Domestic Animals. This project recognizes the multispecies family by granting 3 working days of bereavement leave. Animals are an important part of human life and we need to be careful with them. pic.twitter.com/KqIQZS0FDf
— Alexandra Vasquez (@alexandravasoch) July 24, 2024
There would be modification in the Labor Code
The legislative proposal seeks to modify the Substantive Labor Code, adding a new paragraph to article 57. This paragraph would establish a special obligation for employers, who must grant paid leave to workers for the loss of their pets.
Currently, in Colombia, there are paid maternity and bereavement leaves in the event of the death of a spouse, permanent partner, or a relative up to the second degree of consanguinity, first degree of affinity, and first degree of civil kinship. However, the inclusion of a bereavement leave for pets would mark an important advance in the recognition of the emotional relationship between humans and companion animals.
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