New Zealand grants paid leave to victims of domestic violence

WELLINGTON: The New Zealand parliament on Wednesday passed a law granting paid leave to victims of domestic violence, advocates calling it a revolutionary step to help those who try to escape the abusive relationships. Victims 10 days of additional leave a year would allow them to "stop the violence and get help without worrying about losing their jobs".

"It's a win for the victims, a win for the employers and a win for the company. Logie said, describing the move as a "world first" after the parliament approved the bill by 63 votes to 57.

This is the first Western country to introduce paid domestic violence leave to nationwide. The Philippines granted 10 days of paid leave to victims of domestic violence in 2004.

The Australian Fair Work Commission voted in March to allow five days of unpaid leave for victims of domestic violence.

Official data show that New Zealand has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in the developed world, with family homicide rates more than twice as high as those in the United States. 39, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Part of a progressive coalition government elected last year, said the intervention to help victims of domestic violence often came too late. "We wait for things to go wrong or someone kills, then we wring our hands."

Logie stated that leave entitlement would give those seeking to escape violent relationships the time to perform practical tasks such as court appearance, relocation and installation. children in new schools.

The opposition Conservative National Party opposed legislation, saying that it was well-intentioned, but could affect victims' chances of finding a job.

"Employers will start to filter and look whether they want to hire or not someone who could present a spokesman for national justice, Mark Mitchell, told Newshub

that New Zealand has a proven track record of fighting domestic violence, and in 1893 it became the first country to give women the right to vote.