The bill from MR federal MP Florence Reuter, which allows the bereavement leave period to be adapted in cases of scheduled euthanasia, has just received a positive and unanimous opinion from the National Labour Council. "This is a concrete step forward for families supporting a loved one through a euthanasia process, who need to be present before, during and after this final moment," said the MP, welcoming the news.
Currently, bereavement leave can only be taken from the day of death itself, which fails to reflect the reality of euthanasia, where the date is set in advance. Not to mention the numerous steps that must be taken before the procedure, both administratively and on a human level. "My bill allows relatives to take their bereavement leave as soon as the date of euthanasia is set, without creating additional days but simply by adapting the period during which they can be taken," adds Florence Reuter.
In 2024, nearly 4,000 euthanasia cases were recorded. A significant number of families are therefore confronted with this reality. Adapting the legislation is a matter of common sense: "thanks to this reform, a son, a daughter, or a partner will no longer have to choose between complying with a rigid legal framework and giving up being present with their loved one in their final days."
In its opinion, the National Labour Council endorses the aim of the proposal and supports greater flexibility in taking bereavement leave when death results from scheduled euthanasia.
"My goal is clear: to enable more humane, more dignified support that is better suited to the realities experienced by families, while preserving the basic structure of the current system of bereavement leave. I will continue this work in Parliament with the MR group so that this bill can be adopted quickly, in the interest of everyone who may one day have to support a loved one on the difficult path of euthanasia," concludes Florence Reuter.