New Zealand grants domestic violence victims paid leave

New Zealand's parliament has passed a law granting paid leave for victims of domestic violence. In a 63-57 vote, legislators approved the measure granting 10 days of extra leave a year, separate from annual holiday or sick leave. Green Party MP Jan Logie, who proposed the bill, said it would help victims "stop the violence and get help without worrying about losing their jobs". New Zealand is the second country after the Philippines to pass such a measure.

The Philippines passed a law granting 10 days of paid leave for domestic violence victims in 2004. A number of Canada's provinces also provide some leave for domestic violence, while Australia's Labor party leader Bill Shorten has promised 10 days paid leave for victims if his party wins the next election. New Zealand's new law also allows victims to ask for flexible working arrangements and makes discrimination against victims illegal.

But the country's National Party objected to the law, saying it could negatively affect victims' job prospects. The party's justice spokesperson Mark Mitchell told website Newshub that employers would "start to filter" applicants and consider "whether or not they want to hire someone that may present a risk around domestic violence".