Sinn Féin Chair of the Economy Committee Caoimhe Archibald MLA has welcomed news that Statutory Bereavement laws in the north are to be updated.

The Sinn Féin MLA said:

“I welcome the commitment from the Economy Minister Diane Dodds that she plans to update Statutory Bereavement Leave for parents on the death of a child.

“When this was announced in Britain in January, I had called for the leave entitlements to be updated here.

“Sinn Féin believe that Paid Bereavement Leave should apply to all workers after a period of 26 weeks service, ensuring that agency workers are given access to new leave entitlements also.

“Today’s announcement is a positive development, it shows compassionate and responsive law-making and will provide much-needed relief for workers dealing with the grief of losing a child.”