Sita Sud faces union dispute over menstrual leave funding

A dispute has emerged at Sita Sud regarding a new agreement that allows female employees suffering from dysmenorrhea to take up to two days of leave per month without a medical certificate or using their own vacation time.

While the agreement was presented by Fit Cisl as a step forward for worker protection, the unions Uiltrasporti and Faisa Cisal have formally distanced themselves from the arrangement. They argue that the mechanism used to fund these absences—drawing from a “solidarity holiday bank” fueled by voluntary donations from colleagues—is inappropriate.

The protesting unions contend that the solidarity fund was originally intended for extreme emergencies and serious family illnesses. They warn that using it for periodic menstrual leave could distort its purpose and discourage donations, potentially leaving workers without support during genuine crises. Uiltrasporti and Faisa Cisal maintain that ensuring health and safety is a direct responsibility of the employer and should not be treated as a self-financed welfare measure provided by other employees.