Montenegro Grants Women Two Paid Menstrual Leave Days per Month
The Parliament of Montenegro approved amendments to the Law on Health Insurance that give women diagnosed with secondary dysmenorrhea the right to two days of fully paid sick leave each month. The proposal, submitted in March on International Women’s Day by independent MP Jevrosima Pejović, was unanimously supported by the Health, Labour and Social Welfare Committee and the Legislative Committee.
The entitlement applies to women whose painful menstrual cycles are caused by medically diagnosed conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts, polyps or polycystic ovary syndrome. Beneficiaries must provide a specialist’s medical certificate, renewed by 31 December each year and submitted to the employer by 30 January. The measure aims to eliminate workplace stigma, balance health needs with professional obligations, and improve early gynecological screening. Similar paid menstrual‑leave schemes exist in Spain and Portugal, but Montenegro’s law is the first in the Western Balkans.
The change affects all insured female workers in Montenegro and is expected to improve occupational health outcomes for thousands of women.
Entities: Jevrosima Pejović · Law on Health Insurance · Law on Health Insurance (Montenegro) · Montenegro · Parliament of Montenegro · Secondary dysmenorrhea
Claims
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- [● 4 SOURCES] The amendment applies to women diagnosed with secondary dysmenorrhea caused by conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, polyps, ovarian inflammation, and polycystic ovary syndrome. (All articles)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Independent MP Jevrosima Pejović proposed the amendment in March on International Women’s Day. (All articles)
- [● 4 SOURCES] A specialist doctor must confirm the diagnosis and issue a medical certificate, which must be renewed by 31 December each year and submitted to the employer by 30 January. (All articles)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Montenegro's Parliament adopted amendments to the Law on Health Insurance granting women with secondary dysmenorrhea two days of paid menstrual leave per month. (All articles)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The paid leave is classified as a temporary work‑incapacity status for women with secondary dysmenorrhea. (All articles)