The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has today unveiled new guidelines supporting women who wish to breast feed their babies in the workplace.
The guidelines on working mothers' new rights were announced this afternoon in Dublin by the Taoiseach and ICTU General Secretary David Begg.
The initiative from ICTU, and supported by the Government, guarantees breast-feeding mothers paid time off for lactation breaks and facilities in the workplace/or extra paid time off to use other facilities. Under new legislation the new workplace rights extend to six months.
Mothers are entitled to a one hour paid lactation break during the working day. This can be taken as one hour, two half hours or three 20-minutes breaks. Part-time mothers are entitled to pro rata arrangements.
Employers must provide adequate and appropriate facilities such as a clean private room for breast-feeding, a refrigerator and storage facility, a comfortable chair, table, power point and sink.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Ahern, praised the ICTU for what he described as "an important initiative and a valuable reference to assist employers in the responsible introduction of the new rights, under the maternity protection amendment act.
He said it is an important step forward in modernising the Irish workplace and ensuring the future good health of mother and child.
Mr Ahern said employers will also benefit from the introduction of the new working mothers' rights. "Research from the US has shown there is three times less absentism from work because children who are breast fed are much healthier."
ICTU Secretary General David Begg said the new legislation will be of immense help. "CSO figures for 2003 show there were 61,517 births in the Republic and just over 40 per cent of these mothers were breastfeeding on discharge from maternity hospital /care."he said.
"Data from the National Perinatal Reporting System also shows that it is women in the workforce who are more likely to opt for breast feeding" he added.