Things haven't change bit.
I remember in the late 70's when I was a school boy. My father
was diagnosed with stomach cancer and was given 6 months or less to
live. As we were from a big family and my father had already
retired due to his poor health, my mother had to work. She was
working in a ministry as a cleaner.
As my elder sister had started to work, she suggested that my
mother applied for 6 months no pay leave to look after my father
remaining days. My mother's boss could not make the
decision of giving my mother the long leave and still keep her job
after the 6 months so he suggested to see the MP and asked for
help.
As my mother was illiterate, she was afraid to go to see the MP
alone, so I had to accompany her to see the MP (and I being equally
afraid). The MP at that time was also the Minister of the portfolio
my mother was working.
I remembered when we saw the MP, the first thing he said was why
we were so troublesome. This frightened both my mother and me. And
for this I remembered it till this day. Anyway, we did
finally get his letter for the no pay leave recommendation. But my
father didn't last the 6 months.