The Departmental Committee on Labour and Social welfare chaired by Hon Josephat Kabinga (Mwea Constituency), today kicked off a two -day series of meetings with Stakeholders to Consider their views on the Breastfeeding Mothers’ Bill 2019, proposed by Muranga County Woman Representative Hon Sabina Chege.
Making their case before the committee, the Ministry of Health, Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), and the National Gender & Equality Commission (NGCE) all expressed their support for the proposed new law which seeks to make provision for breastfeeding mothers; to provide for employers’ obligations towards these mothers in the work place; to provide for baby changing facilities for use by the public; and for connected purposes.
Citing breastfeeding as a basic need for infants and a decent place to do the same as a human right for all mothers, the stakeholders called on the committee to consider their proposed amendments to the bill, with an aim to improve the content and ascertain its chances of implementation if passed by the National Assembly and eventually signed into law.
The Federation of Kenya Employers however, are opposed to the proposed laws citing a range of reasons, among them: high financial implications on the employers, perceived health risks that babies may face in such environments, the alleged inability of certain employers to deliver the outlined requirements, and a concern that an extended period of maternity leave will negatively impact of the productivity of institutions and companies.
An issue that raised concerns from the legislators, who called out the Federation for putting their needs as employers ahead of that of mothers and children with very little consideration of what they need to be fully productive.
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The other Stakeholders who made their presentations on the Bill to the committee are: Career Mothers for Exclusive Breastfeeding (CAMFEB), African Women Studies Centre (AWSC), Kenya Association of Breastfeeding, Dr Walter Ogony and the Mothership Village.
The committee continues to hear views from various stakeholders on the said Bill, with an aim to capture all possible views on it before submitting its final report to the house.
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