What working women need to breastfeed

Proximity to child Proximity to child Time Time Motivation and skill Motivation and skill

Worker’s rights 1st ILO convention – st ILO convention – 1919 The Maternity Protection Convention, The Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183), is the most recent 2000 (No. 183), is the most recent standard accompanied by the Maternity standard accompanied by the Maternity Protection Recommendation, 2000 Protection Recommendation, 2000 (No. 191). (No. 191).

Entitlements to all employed women, no matter what occupation or type of undertaking, including those women employed in atypical forms of work who often received no protection to all employed women, no matter what occupation or type of undertaking, including those women employed in atypical forms of work who often received no protection 14 weeks of leave 14 weeks of leave Recommendation No. 191 suggests that this period be at least 18 weeks Recommendation No. 191 suggests that this period be at least 18 weeks the right to return to the same work, or one with the same pay, upon return from the leave (Articles 4 and 5) the right to return to the same work, or one with the same pay, upon return from the leave (Articles 4 and 5)

Internationally.. Bulgaria - 45 days 100% paid sick leave prior the due date, 2 years paid leave, and 1 additional year of unpaid leave. Bulgaria - 45 days 100% paid sick leave prior the due date, 2 years paid leave, and 1 additional year of unpaid leave. Sweden, Norway, Estonia - 18 months' paid leave per child, the cost being shared between employer and State Sweden, Norway, Estonia - 18 months' paid leave per child, the cost being shared between employer and State Canada - 35 weeks divided between the two parents, which can be expanded to a year, paid for by the Employment Insurance system Canada - 35 weeks divided between the two parents, which can be expanded to a year, paid for by the Employment Insurance system UK - 52 weeks of maternity leave, 39 weeks of which is paid, with the first six weeks paid at 90% of full pay and the remainder at a fixed rate UK - 52 weeks of maternity leave, 39 weeks of which is paid, with the first six weeks paid at 90% of full pay and the remainder at a fixed rate

India MBA 1961, ESI Act weeks paid maternity leave MBA 1961, ESI Act weeks paid maternity leave 5th Pay Commission, For Govt employees 5th Pay Commission, For Govt employees 4 ½ months 4 ½ months 15 days paternity leave. 15 days paternity leave. In Punjab and Haryana 6 months In Punjab and Haryana 6 months

Who does this (not) apply to? Applies to less than 10% of all working women!! Applies to less than 10% of all working women!! More than 93% working women work in the informal sector where there is no employer-employee relationship More than 93% working women work in the informal sector where there is no employer-employee relationship These are the very women who have children with high mortality….who need it most These are the very women who have children with high mortality….who need it most

Consider Domestic workers Domestic workers Landless agricultural workers Landless agricultural workers Small scale home based workers (‘bindi’ worker, embroiderer etc etc) Small scale home based workers (‘bindi’ worker, embroiderer etc etc) Vendors Vendors

Challenges What system for identification What system for identification Who will pay? Who will pay? How will money be collected? How will money be collected? What delivery mechanism? What delivery mechanism? How will ‘leave’ be ensured? How will ‘leave’ be ensured? What redressal mechanisms? (private sector, SEZs, contractual workers) What redressal mechanisms? (private sector, SEZs, contractual workers)

Some legislative measures Social security bill for unorganised workers Social security bill for unorganised workers Construction workers’ act Construction workers’ act

Some mechanisms Direct cash transfers (MR SchemeTamil Nadu, NMBS) Direct cash transfers (MR SchemeTamil Nadu, NMBS) Cess (construction workers act, 1%) Cess (construction workers act, 1%) Tripartite Boards for implementation Tripartite Boards for implementation

Other enabling facilities Creches on Worksites Creches on Worksites Breastfeeding breaks: Over 90 ILO member States provide nursing breaks of at least one hour under national legislation Breastfeeding breaks: Over 90 ILO member States provide nursing breaks of at least one hour under national legislation Privacy to breastfeed in public places – ‘women and child’ rooms at stations, airports etc Privacy to breastfeed in public places – ‘women and child’ rooms at stations, airports etc Easier commuting Easier commuting