DHAKA: The High Court (HC) ordered the authorities concerned to set up breastfeeding corners at all mills and factories across the country within two months.

The court also directed Labour secretary and Chairman of Department of Labour to submit report within 60 days on implementation of the order.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice M Mostafizur Rahman issued the order on Tuesday in response to a petition filed by Advocate Israt Hasan on October last.

On October 24 in 2019, nine-month-old baby Umair Bin Sadi and his mother Advocate Israt Hasan filed the writ seeking a safe atmosphere for breastfeeding.

Following the writ on October 27 in 2019, the High Court issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain as to why directives should not be given to set up breastfeeding and baby-care corners at workplaces, airports, bus stops, railway stations and shopping malls.

There is a provision in the Bangladesh Labour Act-2006 for setting up breastfeeding corner in workplaces, but there is no implementation of it, Israt Hasan said.

As mothers often face embarrassing situation to breastfeed their children at public places, breastfeeding corners need to be set up there, she added.

BDST: 1654 HRS, FEB 18, 2020

SMS