A bill seeking to grant five-month leave to persons who lose their spouses has scaled second reading in the house of representatives.
The bill sponsored by Honourable Saidu Abdullahi, seeks to enable the widow or widower mourn the deceased spouse and make immediate arrangements for the challenges ahead.
Abdullahi who argues that there is a need for consideration of the bill on cultural and religious grounds, also said the bill is designed to place Nigeria among the top countries in the world in terms of workers welfare as the law exist in many countries.
According to him, research findings had shown that in Nigeria, organizations in the public sector grant up to 14 days leave for workers who lose their spouses for the burials.
However, he said that 14 days is inadequate when the prevalent cultural and religious practice in Nigeria is considered.
The speaker of the house, Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, referred the bill to the house committee on public sector reforms for further legislative actions.
