The Radhi-Sagteng MP, Jigme Wangchuk, questioned the government on their pledge to extend maternity leave for working mothers, during the Question Hour in the National Assembly, today.
Responding to the query, the Health Minister, Tandin Wangchuk, said the involved ministries; Ministry of Education, Ministry of Works and Human Settlement and Ministry of Labour and Human Resources, have discussed and submitted recommendations to the Cabinet.
However, Lyonpo said they will have to take into consideration working mothers in the corporation and private sector as well.
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Lyonpo said 11 percent of young Bhutanese children suffer from stunting; another 11 percent are under weight, while 4.6 percent suffer from wasting. He was quoting Infant and Young Child Survey that was conducted in 2008.
He reiterated his point by saying if a child is not breast-fed for six months, the chance of a child’s death due to diarrhoea increases by 15 times.
Lamgong-Wangchang MP, Khandu Wangchuk offered a different opinion. He said giving better job opportunities to women would be more effective than allowing extended maternity leave. He said the job securities of working mothers in private and corporation should also be taken into account.
