THE International Labor Organization (ILO) yesterday called on private-sector employers in the Philippines to support breastfeeding women by boosting their policies in the workplace.
In a statement for the celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, the ILO said it is imperative for employers to adhere to the implementation of the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009.
“Breastfeeding is one of the most accessible care policies that can be applied at the workplace. It is a clear measure to help women transition back to work after giving birth,” said ILO Philippines Country Director Khalid Hassan.
“Maternity protection to support exclusive and continued breastfeeding is a universal but unfulfilled human and labor right,” he added.
Hassan said there is a need for workplaces to have dedicated lactation/breastfeeding stations not located within a toilet, wherein breastfeeding mothers can wash up, breastfeed, or express their milk in comfort and store their breastmilk afterward.
He said breastfeeding mothers must also be provided lactation periods that are counted as compensable hours worked, and must not be less than a total of 40 minutes for every 8-hour working period.
Hassan said there should also be a workplace lactation policy with relevant provisions that is part of the general policy/manual of operations and is widely disseminated among employees.
Finally, he said there must be breastfeeding information that is easily accessible, such as posters, pamphlets, videos, and other resources, including peer counseling.
He said such programs will help reduce maternity-related absenteeism, or an estimated 30 to 70 percent fewer absences.
He also said that breastfeeding promotion will help reduce employee turnover rates while eliminating the need to frequently hire and train new staff.
Hassan added that boosting breastfeeding policies in the workplace shall surely improve the corporate image of businesses, as this will show they care about the health and well-being of working women and their families.
