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PUBLIC servants have backed a motion calling for the introduction of abortion leave for workers.
Delegates at Fórsa’s biennial conference in Killarney voted in favour of the motion tabled by the North Dublin, North Leinster SNA branch urging the union to engage with the government to implement legislation for abortion leave.
The motion says “no woman should be forced to take ordinary sick leave or unpaid leave and be at a financial loss when accessing this healthcare”.
Linda O’Sullivan, a special needs assistant and equality officer of the union’s SNA branch, said the leave should be made available to workers in the public and private sector.
She said a legal entitlement to five days paid leave might be introduced as a minimum, which is the entitlement for those who need to take time off work due to domestic violence since last November.
Ms O’Sullivan said the branch tabled the motion to ensure members are not at any kind of financial loss when accessing abortion services.
“So all of these motions are progressive and I think as a country we are progressive after we repealed the eighth amendment,” she said. “We are not asking members whether they agree or disagree with abortion.
“We are simply asking members to show care and compassion to those that are accessing abortion services in Ireland.”
In a separate motion, the branch called on the union to engage with the government to abolish a three day wait for those accessing abortion services.
