House of Reps consider bill to make creches mandatory for workplaces
A bill seeking to make the establishment of creches mandatory in public and private workplaces has passed second reading at the house of representatives.
The proposed legislation, which is sponsored by Sergius Ogun, a lawmaker from Edo state, seeks to amend the Labour Act, 1971 to compel every employer to “provide a creche facility within the precincts of the workplace”.
According to the bill which is also aimed at improving exclusive breastfeeding, the establishment of creches will enable nursing mothers to “keep their suckling children within work hours under the watch of a nanny employed by the employer at a reasonable fee”.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), exclusive breastfeeding means that an infant is given only breast milk, and no other liquids including water with the exception of oral rehydration solution, or drops/syrups of vitamins, minerals or medicines.