Better for both mother and baby.

(Baonghean)Since May 1st, 2013, the new Labor Code has been in effect. Accordingly, maternity leave for female workers is 6 months, instead of 4 months as before... This policy has been implemented and received the consensus and welcome of the people, because it not only facilitates mothers in fulfilling their maternal duties, but more importantly, gives children the opportunity to receive better care and comprehensive development.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc, from Ha Huy Tap ward, Vinh City, welcomed this new policy with great enthusiasm. She was happy not for herself, but for the expectant mothers who will be giving birth soon. Ms. Ngoc said: "I gave birth at the end of last year, so I only had 4 months of maternity leave. After my maternity leave ended, even though my baby was still weak, I still tried to go back to work. The difficulty was that my baby wouldn't drink from a bottle, and I worked far away, so I couldn't go home for lunch. Therefore, every morning before going to work, I had to express milk and put it in a bottle for my mother-in-law to feed her, and every lunchtime, I had to express milk into a bottle to store in the refrigerator and bring home for my baby."

After working for over a month, her child experienced frequent vomiting and developed digestive problems requiring hospitalization. Out of love for her child, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc decided to take unpaid leave to care for her child at home… Ms. Ngoc shared: “Children need sufficient breast milk to get the right nutrients and boost their immunity. The new Labor Law, now in effect, will create better conditions for healthier newborns. I already have two children, and having a second one doesn't fall within the timeframe of the Law, but I'm still very happy.”

Prenatal check-up at the Provincial Center for Reproductive Health Care. Photo: Tu Thanh

Being present at the Obstetrics Department of the Provincial Friendship General Hospital these days, one can truly feel the excitement of the mothers who have just given birth and those preparing to give birth. The regulations of this Law have become a hot topic of lively discussion among the mothers and their families. Almost everyone understands – female workers are entitled to 6 months of maternity leave before and after childbirth; female workers whose maternity leave begins after May 1st, 2013, are entitled to 6 months of maternity leave according to the Social Insurance Law. Ms. Tran Thi Binh, still tired after giving birth, couldn't hide her bright smile: "Giving birth now with 6 months of maternity leave makes me feel very comfortable, unlike the 4 months of leave before which was very difficult. 6 months of maternity leave has many advantages; firstly, the baby is stronger and can start eating solid food, and the mother also has time to recover her health. For every mother raising a child, even an extra month of leave is very valuable."

Sharing in the joy with the women, Dr. Pham Sy Hung, Head of the Obstetrics Department at Nghe An Friendship General Hospital, analyzed: The longer the maternity leave, the better it is for the mother's health and the child's development. Because in the early stages of life, the child's body is very delicate, especially the immune system and nutrient absorption, so it needs the mother's care. In Vietnam today, the rate of women breastfeeding is very low and is decreasing; the Labor Code has increased maternity leave, which means that women are simultaneously encouraged to breastfeed, helping to reduce illness in children and strengthening the bond between mother and child. Women being granted 6 months of maternity leave will certainly create conditions to improve public health, enhance physical condition, and improve the quality of human resources. The new State regulation on 6 months of maternity leave is completely medically appropriate and very good for mothers.

According to the World Health Organization, teaching first-time mothers how to breastfeed can save 1.3 million children each year, and it is recommended that mothers breastfeed for the first six months. Therefore, increasing maternity leave for female workers is a very humane policy, in line with global trends, and provides children with the opportunity for comprehensive development. This also shows that our country's legal policies are increasingly aligned with real-life situations.

Thanh Chung