Legal compendium on women's rights and the Chilean child regarding breast feeding
Scroggie, S.
Revista Chilena de Pediatria 52(2): 163-167
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0370-4106 PMID: 7280312 Document Number: 532855
Several laws and decrees in the Chilean Civil Code, Health Code, Penal Code, and Work Code are related to the protection of the pregnant woman and the newborn. A working mother has a right to 6 weeks rest before delivery and to 12 weeks after delivery with full pay. Additional weeks are given in cases of multiple births or low birth weight infants. The employer cannot terminate the work contract of a pregnant woman and cannot have her engage in any physical efforts. When a sick infant requires care at home, the mother can abstain from reporting to work with full pay. Every firm or industry with more than 20 female workers must have at least one room equipped as a day care center where mothers can leave their children under the care of a specialized nurse, and where they can breastfeed them when necessary, but not more than twice during a working period. A pregnant woman has a right to free control visits during pregnancy and medication and free assistance during delivery. If needed, a breastfeeding mother can obtain supplementary food for herself. The Chilean Civil Code protects the right to life of the yet unborn child, therefore abortion is not permitted. A breastfeeding mother who is detained in jail can keep her child with her to continue nursing. The Chilean League of Maternal Breastfeeding has been given juridical status by the Chilean government; it is a private institution whose aim is to promote breastfeeding and its advantages.