Nestle extends maternity leave to 6 months

NEW DELHI: Nestle India has announced a new maternity protection policy which allows employees to extend maternity leave to up to half a year and includes benefits like employment protection, flexible working arrangement and access to breastfeeding rooms during working hours.

The company said in a statement issued on Tuesday that it has launched a series of initiatives coinciding with the 'World Breastfeeding Week'.

"New mothers need support so that they can continue breastfeeding," Nestle India GM nutrition Binu Jacob said.

Nestle has launched an awareness campaign reaching out to fathers, grandmothers and employers on how their support, such as sharing household responsibilities, taking care of the baby and creating a conducive work environment, can help a mother breast feed her child longer. It has also said it will install 500 lactation booths across the country, besides building community support.