Draft regulation prepared mandating nurseries and breastfeeding rooms in workplaces

The Ministry of Labor and Social Security has prepared a new draft regulation amendment to support the participation of working mothers in professional life and to strengthen the occupational health and safety of pregnant or breastfeeding women.

According to the draft, employers with 150 or more female employees are expected to provide a nursery, day care center, or preschool education institution for the children of employees in the 0-6 age group. Employers will be able to fulfill this obligation by establishing joint facilities or by making agreements with authorized institutions. The total number of female employees within the district boundaries will be taken as the basis for the obligation calculation; male employees whose spouses have passed away or who have sole custody of their children will also be included in this count.

The regulation also introduces a mandatory breastfeeding room requirement for workplaces with 100 or more female employees. Breastfeeding rooms are planned to be equipped to allow for the expression and proper storage of breast milk. Additionally, new protective measures against health and safety risks are defined for pregnant or breastfeeding employees. In case of risk, it is stipulated that working conditions be modified, or if that is not possible, the employee be transferred to another job without loss of pay, or granted unpaid leave upon request.

The draft prohibits risky working conditions for pregnant employees such as sudden impacts, vibrations, noise exceeding 80 decibels, ionizing radiation, and hazardous chemicals. Provisions regarding nurseries and day care centers are planned to enter into force on December 31, 2027, while other regulations are set to take effect on the date the regulation is published.