WORKERS in the United States are now entitled to time off and other accommodations for abortions, miscarriages and other pregnancy-related medical conditions under a new law.

The new regulations of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act was passed with bipartisan Congressional support in December 2022 but sparked controversy last year when the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) included abortions in its draft rules.

Under the new language of the regulations, workers can ask for time off to obtain an abortion and recover from the procedure.

The EEOC said that the new law does not oblige employers to cover abortion-related costs in workers’ health plans and that any time off does not have to be paid.

The Act requires most employers with 15 or more employees to provide “reasonable accommodations” for a worker’s known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions — including fertility and infertility treatments in some cases — unless the accommodation will cause the employer an undue hardship.

The EEOC’s regulations will go into effect on June 18.

Labour-rights groups have hailed the new law as especially important for women of colour who are most likely to work in low-wage, physically demanding jobs but are often denied accommodations for everything from time off for medical appointments to the ability to sit or stand on the job.

Major business groups also supported the law, citing the need for clarity about the accommodations that employers are required to give pregnant workers.

“No-one should have to risk their job for their health just because they are pregnant, recovering from childbirth, or dealing with a related medical condition,” said EEOC chairwoman Charlotte A Burrows.