The Equality union, through a letter to the Ministry, requests the introduction of paid bereavement and marriage leave for the wider public sector and for the private sector.
Regarding Bereavement leave, he proposes that employees have the right to up to five days of paid bereavement leave in the event of the death of a spouse, parent, child, sibling or father-in-law. This period of leave, it states, would allow those affected sufficient time to grieve and make the necessary arrangements without the added stress of work commitments.
For the introduction of Marriage Leave Equality proposes that employees be entitled to up to five days of paid marriage leave stating that this leave period would allow those affected to have time to make the necessary preparations and celebrate this important event in their lives.
For the private sector, he proposes to create a similar framework for the establishment of bereavement leave and marriage leave and for the provision of related benefits from the Social Insurance Services.
According to Equality such leave and allowances have been in place in other European countries, such as France, Spain, Ireland and Malta, for years.
"We believe that the introduction of these provisions in Cyprus will not only be in line with the practices of other European countries, but more importantly, will significantly contribute to the well-being of all workers," the letter states.