The bill by MR federal MP Florence Reuter, which aims to adapt the bereavement leave period in cases of scheduled euthanasia, was unanimously adopted at first reading in the Chamber's Social Affairs Committee.
"This is a concrete, humane and long-awaited step forward for families supporting a loved one through a euthanasia process," says a delighted Florence Reuter. "They must be able to be present before, during and after this final moment, without being trapped by a rigid legal framework."
Currently, compassionate leave for bereavement can only be taken from the day of death itself, which does not take into account the realities of euthanasia, where the date is set in advance. Not to mention the numerous steps that must be completed before the act, both administratively and on a human level. "My proposal allows loved ones to take their compassionate leave days as soon as the date of the euthanasia is set, without creating additional days but simply by adapting the period during which they can be taken," adds Florence Reuter.
This vote follows a unanimous positive opinion from the National Labour Council, which supported the aim of the text, namely to offer greater flexibility to relatives called upon to support a family member through a scheduled euthanasia process
"Thanks to this adjustment, a son, a daughter, a partner will no longer have to choose between their job and being present with their loved one in their final days," the MP insists.
"My goal is clear: to enable more humane, more dignified support better suited to the realities experienced by families, while preserving the basic structure of the current system of compassionate leave. The unanimous adoption at first reading in the Social Affairs Committee represents a significant first step. We must now move quickly to turn this progress into concrete rights for families," concludes Florence Reuter.