Rules for breastfeeding should be established by parliament quickly, the Home well being committee urged on Thursday, following complaints that girls have been having their pay docked for taking breaks to feed their youngsters.
The committee discovered {that a} regulation was handed in 2018; nonetheless, laws for breastfeeding amenities in workplaces, each private and non-private, haven’t been established since then.
Talking on the committee session, deputy head of the committee and Disy MP Savia Orphanidou stated that as a result of absence of laws, some employers are taking benefit and withholding pay from girls who depart to breastfeed.
Orphanidou expressed concern that some employers fail to acknowledge the significance of breastfeeding for kids, making it tough for girls who select to breastfeed. She famous that girls are leaving their jobs to breastfeed, solely to seek out their paychecks minimize.
“We imagine that it is a essential challenge, which considerations the promotion and facilitation of breastfeeding for brand new moms. Based mostly on the suggestions of the World Well being Organisation we see that Cyprus lags behind on this regard, so we expect it’s time for these laws to come back in.”
She careworn that the laws ought to make sure the creation of fresh, non-public areas the place moms really feel comfy breastfeeding. “We reiterate the various advantages of breastfeeding for the kid,” she stated.
Orphanidou talked about that representatives from the well being ministry assured MPs that the nationwide breastfeeding technique is close to completion and set to be revealed.
“Sadly, we perceive that the laws are nonetheless on the public session stage and can take a while to achieve parliament,” she stated.
Orphanidou added: “We’re interesting and because the Well being Committee from all events to provide you with these laws as quickly as doable, which is able to deal with the sensible and technical points that come up.”
Moreover, she talked about that the laws will embrace provisions for establishing particular breastfeeding areas in busy public locations.
Akel MP Marina Nicolaou additionally emphasised the significance of implementing measures for breastfeeding, citing the kid’s proper to the absolute best well being. She famous that laws has been in place since 2018, however laws are pending. Nicolaou acknowledged that Akel has been following up on the problem and obtained assurances from the previous well being minister in Could 2023 that laws have been being finalised for submission to parliament.
