'Force Bosses To Allot Time For Breastfeeding Mums'

A breastfeeding advocacy group is urging the government to force employers to provide breaks in the working day so nursing mothers can express milk.

The Breastfeeding Mothers’ Association made the call after the Legislative Council last week passed an amendment to the Sex Discrimination Ordinance to prevent discrimination against breastfeeding mothers.

The association welcomed the law change and its chairwoman, Jacy Chan, said that increased public awareness of the issue meant they were already receiving fewer complaints from mothers.

But she urged the government to go further to more clearly set out the rights of breastfeeding mothers in the workplace.

"The government can make it mandatory, perhaps under the labour law, that any employee who returns to work and is breastfeeding is entitled to breastfeeding breaks that are made," Chan said.

"That would make it obvious to all the employers and mandatory for all employers, as well as the employees, to recognise that each breastfeeding mother has their needs, and this must be accommodated by the company."