• Last updated:2021-10-18

   Since 1919, the International Labor Organization''s Maternity Protection Convention has stipulated the relevant provisions for the protection of mothers. Noting the provision of Universal Declaration of Human Rights（1948）, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women（ 1979）, of United Nations and under the principles of maternity protection and employment equality, the ILO has adopted measures to protect pregnant or nursing mothers from the hazards of workplace, as well as other pregnant and breastfeeding women health protection measures, in accordance with the MPC revision of 2000.

''Maternity Protection'' is the key to create a female-friendly workplace
   According to Labor Safety and Health Act, employers have the obligation to ensure that pregnant and breastfeeding women are not exposed to any danger at work, including not requiring them to perform any dangerous work and appropriate measures must be taken on the basis of a health assessment. In response to international trends,（according to Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, Executive Yuan （DGBAS）,） the labor participation rate of female in Taiwan has increased to 49.97% in 2011. Thus creating a female-friendly work environment has become an urgent matter, of which maternity protection is the key.
   According to relevant literature, some workplace hazards not only affect the health of the women themselves, but also their ability to have children. For example, certain chemicals（such as lead, mercury, chromium, arsenic and anti-cancer drugs）may cause infertility or increase abortion and stillbirth rates. Physical hazards（such as noise, vibrations, high temperature, heavy lifting, ionizing radiation, abnormal air pressure, standing for a long time, sitting for a long time and shift working）may provoke injuries in a pregnant woman and lead to premature birth. Biological hazards（such as Hepatitis B, chicken pox, shingles and rubella）may cause low fetal weight, miscarriages and birth defects.
   Controlling workplace hazards can help protect mother and child during pregnancy. As the nation is currently facing families having fewer children, an aging society and social changes, strengthening the health protection of mothers not only is a labor issue, but also a part of safeguarding social security and women''s rights.

Opening of the Maternity Protection at Work Consulting Clinic strengthens maternity protection
   Taiwanese law only requires that enterprises with over 300 people in a work place must engage or arrange labor health services doctor to provide workplace hazard and high risk labor health evaluation. In order to meet the needs of women whose workplaces do not provide the service, the CLA has set up a "Maternity Protection at Work Consulting Clinic" at each of the nine Work Injury Treatment Centers; specialist doctors and gynecologists provide assessments of work and environmental hazard exposure for pregnant and breastfeeding women, suitable work suggestions, as well as related enquiry services. For work allocation requirements, an evaluation and suggestion book can also be issued, which will comprehensively evaluates any hazards affecting female workers in the workplace and their health situation. Besides helping work units improve their work environment, these measures will also help them improve their facilities and make adjustments in order to enhance maternity protection.
   The Maternity Protection at Work Consulting Clinic, since its opening in May, 2012, offers services across 16 clinic/times, with 196 people visited, of which 82% are pregnant. Standing for a long time, feeling indisposed or feeling stress at work can affect the health of a mother and her child and therefore female workers visit the clinic. The majority of women visiting the clinic are nurses, teachers and operators in the science and technology industry. In total, for work allocation requirements, 10 women have been provided with a doctors evaluation and suggestion form that was passed to their work units so that suitable work was allocated and maternal protection measures adopted in accordance with relevant regulations.
   The pressure women face at work is different from that of their male colleagues. For gender equality is an international consensus, the CLA shall strengthen maternity protection related laws and measures to implement the protection of female labor rights.

• Source:Department of General Planning
• Publication Date:2013-02-19
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