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Medical Video: JOBS FOR NURSES beyond the bedside
Based on the Central Statistics Agency's report, until the end of 2015 the baby birth rate in Indonesia had reached more than 4.8 million. Not a few of the population of breastfeeding mothers choose to start or return to work after giving birth. From year to year, the World Health Organization (UN) is always active in promoting exclusive breastfeeding campaigns during the first six months of a baby's life. There is no denying that breast milk is the best source of nutrition for baby's growth. Breastfeeding provides unique health benefits not only for the baby, but also for the mother.
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Breastfeeding is the right of mother and child as a human. On the other hand, the return of women to the professional world requires that they divide their time between breastfeeding and caring for children with heavy working hours. This is why these rights often become unfulfilled. Nursing room facilities play an important role in every commercial and office building to accommodate the needs of breastfeeding mothers who work to support exclusive breastfeeding movements.
Are there laws that regulate the rights of female breastfeeding employees?
The state provides legal protection for female workers who are breastfeeding. One of them is the Manpower Act number 13 article 83 of 2003 which reads, "Women workers / laborers whose children are still breastfeeding should be given the right opportunity to breastfeed their children if it must be done during work time."
The right for breastfeeding working mothers is reaffirmed in the Republic of Indonesia Health Act number 36 of 2009 which states that every baby is entitled to exclusive breast milk from birth for 6 months (except for medical reasons) and is required for all levels of society, including families, central and regional governments, as well as the public to support breastfeeding mothers in full with the provision of time and facilities for special breastfeeding rooms in workplaces and public facilities.
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Legal protection that addresses breastfeeding rights is also issued by Government Regulation (PP) number 33 of 2012 which guarantees the fulfillment of infant rights and protection of breastfeeding mothers and increases the role of family, community and government in exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months old babies.
The existence of this regulation means that all parties must support the movement of breastfeeding mothers, among others by providing special breastfeeding space in office buildings, public facilities such as stations, terminals, airports, shopping centers, and including allowing flexible work scheduling to support breastfeeding / pumping breast milk during working hours.
What are the penalties if the office does not allow female employees to breastfeed in the office?
If not, there will be official criminal sanctions for every action taken by individuals and corporations to ignore / obstruct the rights of breastfeeding mothers. Every individual who ignores / prevents exclusive breastfeeding for his child can be subject to sanctions under Article 200 of the Health Law which imposes a maximum of 1 (one) year imprisonment and a maximum fine of Rp 100,000,000.00.
Meanwhile, sanctions for corporations are affirmed in Article 201 of the Health Law which consists of imprisonment sanctions for board of directors, three-fold penalties, and revocation of business licenses and / or revocation of legal entity status. The public can report to the local Health Service if they witness or experience violations of these special rights.
What breastfeeding room is required in every public facility?
According to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) aka Obamacare, a proper breastfeeding room is a special place for nursing mothers or pumping breast milk other than a bathroom that is protected from sight and free from interference from colleagues and other individuals.
A special breastfeeding room must be functional, with private space with seating and a flat surface, in addition to the floor, to place breast pumps and other equipment. Although there are no measurements or requirements, special breastfeeding rooms must provide access to electricity for the use of electric breast milk pumps, as well as good lighting, comfortable temperatures, and proper ventilation.
Furthermore, the space for nursing mothers must be clean and the corporation must provide clean tissue stock. If it is possible, the corporation can provide additional facilities in breastfeeding rooms such as breast pumps, microwaves for sterilizing breast pumps, comfortable chairs, tables, clocks, mirrors, and sinks.
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If the building situation does not allow the construction of a special breastfeeding room that is separate from the main activity area, the facility provider can allow breastfeeding mothers to use their own work space or multipurpose space in the office (such as meeting rooms, empty cubicles, or other people's office spaces) temporarily adapted to accommodate the needs of mothers while breastfeeding or pumping breast milk. Mininumnya requirements are doors that can be locked, good lighting, and electrical outlets.
