Employers have called for more sensitization on the amended Employment Act (2021) to encourage on-site breastfeeding among working women in the country.
The call comes as Malawi joins the rest of the World in observing Word Breastfeeding Week from 1st to 7th August 2023, under the theme “Enabling breastfeeding; Making a difference for working parents”.
The week aims to engage with individuals and organizations to enhance collaboration and support for breastfeeding at work as workplace challenges remain the most common reason for women to never breastfeed or breastfeeding earlier than recommended, among many other of its objectives.
Malawi’s Employment Amendment Act of 2021 requires employers to provide one-hour nursing breaks to nursing women for a minimum period of six months from the birth of the child as well as provide suitable space for breastfeeding at the workplace, ensuring privacy and safety of nursing women and children.
In an interview with MIJ Online, George Khakhi, Executive Director for Employers Consultative Association of Malawi-said there has been adherence to the law by some employers more especially from big companies.
However, Khakhi stressed the need to sensitize more employers about the amended law as well as female workers of their right to demand for spaces at the workplace for breastfeeding.
“We would also want the Ministry of Labor to take its rightful role by ensuring that they are inspecting work places and make sure that employers that are not complying with the law, do so”. Said Khakhi