Bill To Accord Widowhood Five Months Mourning Period Scales Second Reading In Reps

A bill that will accord five months mourning period to men and women who lost their spouse has scaled second reading in the House of Representatives.

The bill sponsored by Saidu Musa Abdullahi (APC, Niger) will grant the widows and widowers a period to mourn their spouse and recover from the physiological challenges.

Abdullahi said widows and widowers in Nigeria face numerous challenges following the loss of their spouses and are often left to single-handedly care for their children and attend to pressing family matters.

This Bill is divided into five clauses. The first clause specified the period of leave that is formally grantable to a widow and widower with full entitlement to their pays.

The second clause defines the persons who are eligible for the leave and the third clause states the punishment for the violation of the bill.

Meanwhile, the fourth clause provides for the interpretation of the terms “widow” and “widower”

He argued that widowhood legislation has been enacted in many countries around the world, adding that widows are entitled to 15 days of paid leave in India, while widows are entitled to 60 days of leave with pay in the Philippines.

The Niger lawmaker said: “It is important to recognize that the Nigerian Labour Act (2004) does not explicitly provide for any form of leaves that covers widowhood leave warranting a much-needed review.

“However, despite this lacuna in the law, organisations around the country make provision for bereavement leave, a time off work given to employees when faced with the death of spouses.

“In fact, some organisations go a step further to offer some form of financial support formally and informally.

“Research findings have shown that in Nigeria, public sector organisations grant Bereavement Leave for fourteen (14) days.