WORKERS in Columbia are to be given two days’ paid leave if their pets die as part of new laws being planned in Colombia.
Alejandro Carlos Chacon is a politician who introduced a bill that would require employers to pay two days’ paid leave after the death of a beloved pet.
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According to the news site El Tiempo, Chacon said: “Some people do not have children but they do have a much-loved pet with which they develop a deep brotherly bond.”
The 48-year-old member of the Colombian Liberal Party went on to say they will help people “overcome their grief and pain of losing these beloved animals without being preoccupied with their jobs”.
Chacon added the bill will be relevant to the majority of Colombian families, as six out of 10 households have a “pet”.
The law is said to describe a pet as an animal with which the owner has a “strong sentimental bond”.
It also stated the death of an exotic animal will not make someone eligible for two paid days’ mourning.
The bill stipulates that employees would only be entitled to paid leave if they inform their boss of the pet’s death before it occurs and provide evidence.
Although there were concerns that workers might lie about it, the bill will not allow them to. Instead, they will be subject to a fine of an undisclosed amount.
The bill must be passed by the Senate and House of Representatives to become law.
It is not known when exactly the bill would pass or be rejected.
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