Govt mulls longer maternity leave
The government is considering extending maternity leave for new mothers to up to one year from the current three months, Social Development and Human Security Minister Watana Muangsook said yesterday.

The plan to extend maternity leave was part of the government’s campaign to encourage breast-feeding , Watana said after a meeting on childhood development chaired by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Watana also said it was important for infants from eight months to one year to remain close to their parents.

The ministry will propose extending the leave, but the additional nine months would be unpaid, Watana said. The extension would apply to government employees initially, he added.

His ministry would ask the private sector to help promote breast-feeding and provide convenient places for mothers to breast feed, Watana said.

The government would help boost children’s IQs by improving day-care facilities and providing toy libraries in each tambon for children in low-income families, he added.
His ministry also plans to work with universities to develop training courses and a licensing system for nannies, Watana said.